Now that I have been studying in Florence for just over a month, I have gotten to know the CEA CAPA center and surrounding area pretty well. I am completing my International Business Certificate while I am here and I get to take an Italian class with other Pitt students. This past week my Italian class had the opportunity to visit La Biblioteca Delle Oblate. This public library has outside seating, a cafe, and great views of the Duomo – it’s a great place to hang out in between classes. It’s also a place where many local university students go to study with friends. My Italian class has also visited a local bar (coffee shop) near one of our study centers. This has become one of my favorites and is a great place to practice some Italian. 

^{La Biblioteca delle Oblate}

My business classes consist of International Finance, International Economics, and International Dimensions of Organizational Behavior. One of the reasons I chose to do the IBC, and my favorite aspect of these classes, is being able to approach the same subject but with different cultural lenses.  Many of my professors also make the effort to connect what we are learning to current events and case studies from a variety of countries. This allows me to practice applying concepts in real time and makes me more aware of what is going on in more than just the U.S.  Because our world is so globalized, I think understanding different cultures is an essential part of business. 

My classes, especially Italian, are fairly small compared to my usual class size at Pitt. I have found that this allows for more interaction and discussion, which helps me understand the material better. I have also had to adjust to some 3-hour classes instead of my usual class length at Pitt. This has been a more difficult adjustment for me, but I enjoy having those classes only once a week. To be successful academically while in Florence, it’s essential to stay organized and participate. Our grades rely heavily on participation because classes are more interactive and being present is vital  for those once-a-week classes. While I am here, I am also trying to take advantage of being so close to other European cities and the ability to travel. This makes balancing assignments, exams, and presentations more difficult. Regardless of the adaptations I’ve had to make, my academic experience in Florence has been extremely rewarding. Being in a different country while studying international business has made my classes that much more valuable and I can’t wait to learn more!