It’s week 11 in Florence, and I am now halfway through my semester abroad. My experience abroad has flown by, and I want to take time to reflect on my personal and professional growth so far throughout the semester.
Throughout the program, my “soft” skills have significantly improved, with adaptability being the one I’ve developed the most. Moving to a new country with a different language, culture, and people—along with adjusting to new roommates—was a challenge. Despite doing some research before arriving in Florence, I had little idea of what to expect. However, by maintaining an open mindset, I was able to adapt quickly. Throughout the semester, I prioritized integrating into the local culture and meeting new people. As a result, I’ve built connections with local store owners and made friends from other schools, some of whom I’ve even traveled around Europe with. Another skill that I further developed was my organizational skills. In addition to taking four classes this semester, I have been planning to travel most of the time for my group of friends. While this has been challenging at times, I have tried my best to stay as organized as possible through my calendar, which has allowed me to stay on top of my school work and for all my trips to go relatively smoothly.
One hard skill I have developed is navigating foreign travel and cross-cultural situations. Before this trip, I had little experience traveling independently or planning trips. However, after arriving in Florence, I took the lead in organizing and booking trips for my group of friends. Throughout my time abroad, I have learned how to travel efficiently and affordably to make the most of our experiences. Taking charge of travel planning has also improved my ability to navigate transportation systems in foreign countries. Whether traveling within Italy or flying to other destinations, we frequently rely on public transportation. Although it was challenging at first, I quickly adapted and learned to use it to our advantage. Now, I feel confident in my ability to travel anywhere in Europe and navigate new places with ease.
Navigating cross-cultural situations has required me to be adaptable, open-minded, and willing to step outside of my comfort zone. Whether interacting with locals or engaging with other program participants from diverse backgrounds, I have found that actively listening, observing social norms, and making an effort to communicate—despite language barriers—have been key to meaningful interactions.
These experiences have had a significant impact on my identity. They have made me more self-aware, patient, and appreciative of different perspectives. Engaging with locals has helped me better understand cultural nuances while connecting with fellow students from different backgrounds has broadened my worldview. I’ve become more confident in unfamiliar situations and have gained a deeper sense of independence. Overall, these interactions have reinforced my adaptability and strengthened my ability to connect with people across cultures.
