Ciao Regazzi!
I’m thrilled to be back on the Pitt Business to the World blog! This time, I’m joining you from the land of endless pasta, gelato, and art—Italy!
I’m Brooke Eyler, a junior studying Supply Chain Management with a concentration in data analytics and a global studies certificate in sustainable development. I’ve had internships in sustainable food services, outdoor recreation retail, and external data services, exploring various industries and career paths. I’m even more excited to delve into careers abroad.
This semester (spring 2024), I’m in the Global Business Institute-Florence Program, my third global experience program at Pitt! Before my freshman year, I was a fellow in the Haller Global Honors Fellowship, and at the end of the year, I went to Ecuador for two weeks, studying the supply chain of chocolate and roses through Plus 3.
Today marks two weeks in Florence, and I finally feel like I’m getting into a routine! From running by the beautiful Arno river at sunset to grabbing an espresso from my favorite barista during a break in my sculpture class, today made me feel like a local. My apartment is about a 10-minute walk outside of the city center, closer to the Santa Croce area. While I’m a bit of a walk from some touristy spots, I love living here because it reflects the true Florentine lifestyle.
I share my apartment with three other roommates—all of whom are close friends from Pitt. While I enjoy making new friends here, coming home to familiar faces is comforting. One of my roommates and I did Plus3-Ecuador together! Our apartment exudes Florentine charm, and my favorite part is our huge porch overlooking one of the coziest residential areas in Florence. It’s pretty cold here right now, but I can’t wait to make good use of the porch in a few weeks!
It’s no secret that going abroad requires adjustment. This past summer, I moved thousands of miles away for my internship, adjusting to a new work schedule, different weather, and living style. At first, it was a bit shocking, as I didn’t anticipate such a learning curve. However, after finding a routine and a sense of belonging, I left the experience having learned so much and wishing for more.
Moving to a new continent mirrors this experience in many ways, but with recent practice in cultural adjustment and more pre-departure preparation, the transition honestly couldn’t have been smoother! The biggest shock, I think, was landing in Italy and hearing everyone around me speak a language I did not recognize at all. I obviously knew they spoke a different language here, but there was a harsh realization: wow, I am in a country very different from my own and am now the outsider. No matter how much you prepare, that pit in your stomach is inevitable. What I’ve learned during the past two weeks is that it’s how you overcome the feeling that matters most.
Ciao for now!
Brooke Eyler