Ciao! During my time in Florence, I have been able to work on developing my soft and hard skills. One of the soft skills that has been prominent is cross cultural communication. This has been through communicating with locals, classmates from all over and professors. It has been interesting to learn the cultural norms of a new city and country. For example, I’ve noticed that many Italians place a high value on personal relationships, taking the time to greet people with warmth and sincerity. Communicating with people from diverse backgrounds allows me to practice adaptability and build greater relationships. I have also been able to improve upon my time management skills, through having to figure out how to best prioritize my time abroad and get everything I need to do done.
A hard skill that I have been majorly able to improve is analytical skills. In the course Analyzing & Exploring the City: Florence, we have the opportunity to examine regional issues and trends that I wouldn’t encounter back in Pittsburgh. From understanding the impact of tourism on the city’s economy to studying the history of art and architecture in Florence, I’ve been able to dive into research and data analysis in a hands-on way that has greatly strengthened my analytical skills. This has allowed me to gain a better understanding of my analytical skills and majorly advanced them. I have also been able to improve upon my project management skills. This has been through working with all different types of students on projects and assignments. Working with people from different backgrounds has taught me how to manage diverse perspectives, and make that a positive in the project experience.
Studying abroad in Florence has really pushed me to navigate cross-cultural situations in a way I could not experience otherwise. Interacting with locals, whether it’s at a restaurant or a class professor, has helped me better understand the difference in Italian customs and American customs. For example, many things have a slower pace here, such as meals are a social event and time to connect with others, instead of rushing and forcing a meal in the fast paced work environment. Also, having the opportunity to connect with students from different parts of the U.S. and the world has introduced me to new perspectives and ways of thinking. These experiences have been eye-opening, allowing me to navigate cross-cultural situations in a way I could not before. Overall, my time in Florence has taught me how to adapt to new environments, respect different cultural norms, and build meaningful connections across cultures, all of which have contributed significantly to my personal growth.