Ciao everyone! I’m Joshua Oguh, a junior at Pitt studying finance and business analytics. I’m from Edgewood, Maryland, which is about 30 minutes away from Baltimore. This past summer, I interned with a consulting firm, the Boston Consulting Group, where I got the chance to work with a great group of people doing work in consumer goods and digital transformation. I plan on returning there to continue my career in consulting. Outside of school & work, I enjoy playing the guitar.

I’m currently studying abroad in Florence for the Spring 2025 semester through Pitt’s Global Business Institute. When I first heard about this program, I was so excited to hear that they had a location in Italy. My first experience studying abroad was the summer before I started my freshman year, where I spent two weeks in Dublin, Ireland for the Haller Global Honors program. During this program, I got a small taste of studying abroad, and when I returned to the US, I made up my mind that I was definitely going to go abroad during my time in college.

I chose Florence because of the goals that I set for myself going into a study abroad program. First, I want to work on my Italian skills. After taking Spanish during all of high school, but never picking it up in college, I felt that being in Italy would be a good way to brush up on my language learning skills. Italian is such a beautiful language, and I felt that with my experience in Spanish, the transition would be easier. I have already learned so much! Secondly, I want to be more immersed in art and art history. I never have considered myself a very artistic person, but after picking up the guitar a couple of years ago, I realized that anybody can be artistic. Being surrounded by so much art history, especially being in the center of the Renaissance, has been a huge inspiration, and I hope to hold onto that inspiration on my way back to the States.

In Florence, I am taking four classes. Italian 101, where my entire class is Pitt students and we learn about the basics of Italian language and culture, including common phrases, grammar, and day-to-day vocabulary. At the end of each class, we even sing Italian songs. I am also taking Cross-Cultural Psychology, which looks at how cultural influences shape human behavior and the differences in how people interact across different cultures. Beginner Figurative Sculpting has been a great opportunity to work with clay and look at how different forms are represented in art. Finally, I am taking International Finance, where we explore global markets and currency exchange. All of my classes provide unique perspectives that connect both academically and culturally to my experience in Florence, which has really enriched my experience.

I live with four roommates who are also studying abroad. It is great to be able to have shared experiences with them and be able to lean on them for support. Our neighborhood is stunningly beautiful, and I always look forward to the walk back home because of the views. We live in the Santa Croce neighborhood, which is famous for its artistic heritage. It’s incredible to live in such a historic area, where every street feels like a piece of art and history combined.

This experience has already been life-changing, and it is only week three. I’m looking forward to the rest of the program, and so excited for what the future holds!

Josh Oguh