Ciao! My name is Katherine Colburn, and I am a junior at the University of Pittsburgh, double majoring in Human Resources and Business Analytics. I grew up in Marriottsville, Maryland. Before coming to Florence, I had the opportunity to intern as a Communications Intern at the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), where I gained valuable professional experience. Outside of academics and work, I love painting, exploring new cities, weightlifting, and cooking. These hobbies, along with my passion for cultural experiences and language learning, made studying abroad an easy decision.
I am currently spending the Spring 2025 semester in Florence, Italy, through Pitt’s Global Business Institute program. Studying abroad has been a goal of mine for a long time. I studied Chinese for eight years throughout middle and high school, and while I never became fully fluent, I loved the challenge of learning a new language. I knew I wanted to add another language to my skill set, and Italian seemed like a great choice—both because of its beauty and its stark differences from Chinese. Additionally, I have a strong interest in working internationally, potentially for the government, so immersing myself in a new culture and language was an important step toward that goal.
Florence was the perfect destination for me because it combined my love for language learning with my deep appreciation for art. Before college, I painted frequently, but as my coursework and responsibilities grew, I found less time for it. I wanted to reconnect with that creative side of myself, and what better place to do so than in Florence! Being surrounded by centuries of artistic history has been truly inspiring, and I feel incredibly lucky to study in a city where art is woven into everyday life.
My coursework in Florence has been both academically and culturally enriching. I am taking four classes that connect directly to my study abroad experience.
- Italian 101: This class focuses on developing practical speaking and literacy skills through reading, writing, listening, and engaging with various forms of Italian media. The goal is to build confidence in comprehending and producing spoken and written Italian. I love that our lessons emphasize real-world applications, from ordering at a café to navigating daily interactions.
- Cross-Cultural Psychology: This course explores how culture shapes human behavior, attitudes, and communication. We discuss topics like ethnocentrism, collectivist vs. individualist societies, and cultural perspectives on mental health.
- International Dimensions of Organizational Behavior: This course examines how core management theories apply across different cultural contexts. We study human behavior in global work environments and analyze how cultural differences impact business strategies. As someone interested in international work, this class has been incredibly insightful.
- Oil Painting: This is by far one of my favorite classes. It is a studio art course that introduces the foundations of oil painting, including composition, chiaroscuro, and color theory. I have enjoyed applying these techniques while being inspired by the incredible art and architecture around me.
I share an apartment with three other students who are also studying abroad—two from the University of Miami and one from Pitt. Living with roommates has made the transition to life in a new country much easier, as we can all lean on each other for support. Our apartment is located across the river, on top of a hill, which strangely reminds me of Pittsburgh’s hilly terrain. The daily walk home along the river is one of my favorite parts of the day. The city’s beauty is breathtaking, and every stroll feels like stepping through history.
Though I have only been here for three weeks, this experience has already been life-changing. Unfortunately, I caught the European flu early on and was sick for over two weeks, which made adjusting to a new country even more challenging. However, despite that setback, I have had an incredible time meeting people from all over the world, exploring new places, and immersing myself in Italian culture. One of my favorite experiences so far was visiting Bologna and the Ferrari Museum. Learning about the history of Ferrari and seeing the evolution of its cars firsthand was fascinating.
As I look ahead to the rest of the semester, I am excited for more adventures, learning experiences, and opportunities to grow both personally and academically. Studying abroad has already taught me so much about adaptability, cultural awareness, and the importance of embracing new challenges. I cannot wait to see what the rest of my time in Florence has in store!
