This experience has been unlike anything I have ever done before. In my previous travels, I have never truly gotten to know a city as I have of Florence, and grown to love every part of its architecture, food, and culture that I could not have gotten in any other contact besides studying abroad. My time here holds a place in my heart that will stay with me for the rest of my life, and I believe the depth of experience that I have had for the past 4 months will not truly hit me until I am back in Pittsburgh. Taking classes as well as my internship experience has given me insight into the everyday life of a Florentine, and it is beyond me how fast this time has past since my arrival, with the many months ahead becoming overwhelmingly intimidating in this new place.
I have gotten the chance to travel freely and with independence I have never gotten before, and the chance to see as much of Europe as I can with all its beauty and opportunity has been truly incredible. Trying new foods from around the world and completely immeshing myself in each culture gives me a new perspective and equips me to travel in the future with great confidence and knowledge of my ability. The relationships I have gained and grown throughout this journey with my friends and roommates alike has been life-changing, along with the professional growth I have gained during my time as an operations internship at the small Florentine bakery, Melaleuca.
The incredible Italian culture that I have come to know has differed so greatly from my family’s Italian heritage and I am so grateful to appreciate the differences and sense of home I felt upon my arrival despite being in a completely new environment.
This experience has been truly life changing the personal growth I have experiences is tangible in so many ways, I can adapt to new situations without getting overwhelmed and have gained a new cultural intelligence that has prepared me for my hopeful international career in the future, and interning has allowed me to experience such first-hand during these 4 months.
Every experience I have had here, the ups and downs and sudden changes that have rocked me, will come with me home and act as pillars of my identity in my last year at Pitt. The experience in working with contacts in the fashion industry has changed my life and opened new doors that would not have been possible if I had not studied abroad. This period will stand out as one of the most amazing parts of my college career, and I hope students in the future will not hesitate to consider studying abroad. I hope everyone can experience something as amazing as this.
A tearful goodbye to Florence!!