Ciao!
My name is Amaya and I am a rising Junior at the University of Pittsburgh. I live in a suburb about 15 minutes from Philadelphia. At Pitt, I am pursuing a major in Marketing, minor in Studio Arts, and a Digital Media certificate. I have an interest in creative advertising and hope to work in the fashion/beauty or sports industry one day!
Around campus, I am involved with a club called Corporate Connections at Pitt Business. My friends and I established it during our freshman year, and we create networks with professionals through our podcast productions and networking events. I take pride in my role as Director of Design, where I manage social media platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. I also help create flyers for our events and marketing materials. In addition to my involvement with Corporate Connections, I am active in Greek life. I recently took on the position of Director of Public Relations for Alpha Delta Pi. In this role, I create graphics for our Instagram and design flyers for our philanthropy events.
Studying abroad caught my attention when my friends participated in the Pitt Business Plus 3 program last summer in Ecuador. They had a blast, and I wanted to experience studying abroad myself. Now, I have just begun my journey in the Pitt GBI Florence program and could not be more excited! I have always wanted to travel to Europe. Given my Studio Arts minor, I chose Florence because of its rich art history. What better place to take a drawing class than in a city with such a vibrant art culture!
Throughout the program, I aim to immerse myself in Italian culture and take full advantage of all the opportunities that studying abroad offers. I plan to do this by trying new foods, exploring various areas, and attempting to learn the Italian language. Although I am usually a picky eater and hesitant to try new dishes, I want to expand my palate while in Italy! I also hope to discover areas of Florence that are less frequented by tourists, as this will give me a deeper understanding of the authentic local culture. Learning to speak Italian will be my most challenging goal. I would like to learn common phrases and be able to communicate when ordering food, greeting people, and interacting during any kinds of services.
To have a successful time abroad, I believe it is important to strengthen my adaptability skills. Adapting to college was already a start in learning how to transition to a new setting, but moving to a different country requires even greater effort. There are many aspects to adapt to, including new foods, language barriers, time zone differences, different class structures, and meeting new people. I hope to adapt quickly and embrace these changes with enthusiasm. Strengthening my adaptability will involve being open to new experiences and willing to step out of my comfort zone. Trying unfamiliar foods, practicing Italian to overcome language barriers, and adjusting to the local time zone will all be part of this process. Additionally, understanding and adapting to different teaching styles and academic expectations will be crucial for my academic success. Meeting new people and building relationships will also play a significant role in helping me feel at home in Florence. By embracing these challenges and viewing them as opportunities for growth, I am confident that I can make the most of my study abroad experience! I could also apply this newly improved skill for future situations like starting a career after graduating.
Overall, I am grateful for the opportunity to study abroad in Florence. This experience allows me to immerse myself in a new culture, expand my horizons, and grow both personally and academically. I appreciate the support from my family, friends, and university, who have made this journey possible. Their encouragement and belief in me fuel my determination to make the most of every moment in this incredible program!