My study abroad experience has changed my life. I’ve met friends, learned lessons, and experiences once in a lifetime opportunity that I wouldn’t have been able to do back home. Being said, I express my deepest gratitude for the financial support enabling me to have the chance to experience personal and academic growth. Thankfully I’ve been able to fully immerse myself in my studies and city exploration throughout Florence.

Reflecting on my experience, I realize how much I’ve grown academically. I have been able to understand different ways of thinking, teaching, and learning. Being in this environment enabled me to see teaching environments from a new perspective rather than just being in lectures. In class, we would visit different sites around Florence and learn about the history and technique used for different pieces of art. The Renaissance was an incredible era to live in as it was heavily focused on education and academia. It makes me honored to say I have been immersed in this atmosphere and have learned the ways of teaching.

Professionally, my classes, mostly Italian and Sculpting, I was taught ways of communicating with people when there is a language barrier. I have been able to grow and develop my interpersonal adaptability while also learning ways of overcoming obstacles when meeting and talking with new people. It has taught me to do things outside my comfort zone while also being able to face any social anxiety which might arise when meeting new people. I was able to network with my professors and learn about their own professional experiences. This brought to light the career path that typical working Italians might go through.

Over the last four months, I have been able to travel outside of Florence quite a bit. Doing this taught me how to think on my feet when things go wrong, allowed me to grow my diverse perspectives of different cultures, and grow new friendships and bonds along the way. I’m very hopeful to bring the things I’ve learned with me back to PittBusiness and put my new skillset to use. Diversifying my perspective on the world will enable me to bring the world to my classrooms in the Fall. I’m very eager to continue putting the life, and classroom, lessons to use and learn more about international business.

I am very gracious for all the doors this scholarship has opened up for me. Thank you very much.