Ciao tutti!
I’ve been in Florence, Italy, for a little over a month now, and my internship and classes are in full swing! One of the main reasons I chose the GBI: Florence program was the opportunity to intern abroad, and I was lucky enough to get an interview with a law firm. Fast forward to today, I’m three weeks into one of the best internship experiences I’ve ever had.
I’m interning at a law firm in Florence that specializes in Intellectual Property (IP). This means the firm helps clients protect their creations of the mind through trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and patents and on top of that ensures their IP rights are being upheld. Every day, I get to see cases dealing with these areas.
Working in the legal industry has shown me the importance of being analytical, disciplined, assertive, and having strong communication skills in order to be successful. Much of what is done in IP law involves reading, analyzing cases, and finding creative solutions, since there’s no definitive rule book for intellectual creations. You need to be able to think critically and make a compelling case for why someone’s idea deserves protection. Specifically for law students, in order to gain success in this field, I’ve found that one of the most important skills to develop is continuous learning. Watching my coworkers, taking notes, reading lengthy case files, asking questions, and conducting research have allowed me to contribute meaningfully to the firm’s work.
Leveraging your strengths, such as those from CliftonStrengths, is key in a fast-paced field like law. For example, two of my top strengths are being an achiever and having strong communication skills. My drive to achieve pushes me to ask for more work and seek ways to improve. This has helped me build a reputation as organized, timely, and reliable without even realizing it. Communication is also crucial, especially in an Italian law firm where language barriers exist. Forming positive relationships with coworkers by communicating effectively has been essential to my growth here.
Of course, working in another country comes with its challenges, especially the language barrier. Despite studying Italian for over a year at Pitt, I still get nervous speaking with my coworkers. But I’ve learned that the more I try and embrace the discomfort, the better my experience becomes. The encouragement and corrections from my colleagues have improved my Italian, and I feel more confident every day.
There are also subtle cultural differences in the workplace. For example, in Italy, building relationships with coworkers on a personal level is important. Every morning, people greet each other with “Buongiorno” and have conversations beyond work. Coffee breaks before lunch are common, as is taking a full hour for lunch, often spent together rather than at your desk. This emphasis on connection creates a pleasant work environment, something I think we could use more of in the U.S. It makes the workday feel less tiring and more enjoyable.
If you take nothing else from this post, remember this: don’t be afraid to try, don’t be afraid to fail, and keep learning. It will take you far—not only in Italy but everywhere!
A presto,
Bella
