Hi! My name is Max Christopher. I am a junior at the University of Pittsburgh. I am studying Supply Chain Management and Marketing with a minor in Film Studies. I am working towards a career in the film industry, having spent this past summer in Los Angeles working in development. I am from North Huntingdon, PA, a suburb of Pittsburgh. In my free time, I enjoy watching movies, running, biking, hiking, traveling, and finding new coffee!

I am currently studying in Florence, Italy through the Pitt Global Business Institute. Since before I even enrolled at Pitt, I knew I wanted to be involved in a study abroad program in college. Once I arrived at Pitt, and saw the wide array of study abroad options available to students, particularly through the business school, I knew that if there were any options to travel to Italy, I would take it. I have never visited Europe before, but I have always wanted to spend time in Italy. The food, art, language, history, and broader culture of the region have long been of interest to me. Seeing that a full semester in Florence was available through the Global Business Institute felt like a no-brainer. While abroad, I want to not only soak up as much of the Florentine culture as possible but also engage with my classwork and internship in a meaningful way. I am hoping to utilize my time at a film production company to be able to learn more about the Italian film industry.

In Florence, I am studying through CEA CAPA. In many ways, CEA CAPA is very similar to Pitt. The program is integrated right into the city of Florence and has a number of relationships with companies in the area, much like Pitt! Where the schools differ is primarily in size, with Pitt having many more facilities and large lecture halls. Culturally, though, both schools place a large emphasis on real-world application of concepts and career advancement.

Living in Florence has been an amazing experience thus far. I live in an apartment with two roommates (neither of which are Pitt students) right in the center of the city. I can see the Duomo as soon as I step out of my front door! What I love about my neighborhood and Florence as a whole is the direct engagement with the history of the city. It’s impossible not to. From all of the architecture and statues down to the stone roads, every inch of Florence reminds you it was once the center of the Italian Renaissance. While there has been some culture shock, especially with adjustments in shopping, navigating the city, and general attitudes, I have been adapting very well. I’m excited to see what this semester has in store for me!