It’s crazy how much can happen and change in four months! Studying abroad in Florence is something that I will never forget and will take with me for the rest of my life. Having the opportunity to live in another country and culture was hard at first and took some adjustment. At first it felt like I would always feel uncomfortable and be missing home. But as time passed and I created a routine, Florence began to feel like a second home. It now feels like I live here and I love the life I’ve built with my friends! Cooking meals in my Italian apartment with fresh ingredients, walking around local markets with my morning coffee, and trying so many new restaurants around the city are activities that I will miss dearly. The access to cheap and efficient public transportation around Europe will be something that I miss as well, since the US is behind in that area. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to travel to so many different countries like France, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK during my time abroad. I’ve learned that I am able to plan and organize trips on my own and solve problems when they arise. Most importantly, I’ve discovered that wherever I am and however strange it feels at first, I have the ability to adapt and find a sense of comfort like I do at home. I’ve loved exploring a new place and growing out of my comfort zone. I’m taking some great friendships with me back home and will miss living with some of my best friends. I have gained the ability to navigate a new school campus and teaching styles in the program and feel confident that I can do this at Pitt Business too. I can use this experience as an example of how I can find home anywhere and that there is a place for me wherever I am. In my future career, I feel more confident that I can work abroad or in a different part of the country and feel less intimidated by the idea of it. I am proud of myself for trying something new and taking advantage of this wonderful Pitt program. I have grown in many ways that I didn’t expect and can see why people say that studying abroad is “life changing.” I am grateful for the opportunity to have explored the world and myself while furthering my academic career!