As I write this blog post, I am feeling very sentimental. Today marks exactly one month until I leave Florence, and I cannot fathom how fast my time here went. This experience has shaped me in ways I will be forever grateful for, but for now, I want to take a moment to reflect on this experience with my past self.
When you first arrive in Florence, you will feel overwhelmed but eager to explore your new home. Not being able to grasp your surroundings leaves you with the fear of the unknown, which at first was all-consuming. As you walk through the narrow streets filled with tourists and other students, you will feel captivated by the beautiful architecture that lines each and every building. It will be an odd experience feeling like a tourist in a place you now call home, but you will shortly learn to adapt and appreciate the feeling. In addition to that, you will learn that feeling uncomfortable is not a bad thing, it means that you are pushing your limits and opening a door for new opportunities!
Interning abroad presents a unique experience that differentiates you from others. Working in such a diverse environment will teach you about the importance of adapting and resilience, as well as allow you to accept diversity in ways you have never seen before! Although it is time-consuming, it will be a very rewarding aspect of your time abroad, and you will leave with so many transferable skills that are crucial in both your personal and professional life.
One of my biggest regrets is not developing a better sense of the Italian language before coming here. Of course, I used Duolingo and prepared myself with basic greetings and phrases, but I wish that I had a deeper understanding of the language. Our Italian class is solely Pitt students, which promotes a cohesive learning experience, but the course is only about the foundations of Italian, which is not always enough with my coworkers. It would just add that extra “spark” to my experience if I understood more than the basics and could connect more with the locals.
This experience will give you memories and friendships that will last you a lifetime. If I could go back and tell my past self that it is okay to feel homesick and it is okay to feel uncomfortable at times, I would because even when I had my “downs,” the “ups” outweighed them in every aspect. Even though I am a month away from heading back to the States, I am not prepared to say my goodbyes to Florence, and I am not ready to face the bittersweetness of returning to reality. Florence will forever be a part of me, and I am excited to continue my journey here in the short time that I have left
