As my time here in Florence comes to an end, I would like to thank my scholarship donor for their incredible generosity. These past four months have truly been the best of my life, and I wouldn’t have been able to complete this journey without their support. I’ve always dreamed of going to Italy, and this experience has been a dream come true. To not only reconnect with my Italian roots and explore the historic city of Florence, but also to live here and feel like a local, has been an experience I will never forget. In addition, thanks to the money I saved from my internship last summer, I had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout Italy, across Europe, and even to Africa. From Northern and Southern Italy to the Pyramids of Giza to witnessing the Northern Lights in the Arctic Circle, I’ve been fortunate enough to explore a wide range of countries and environments. Words cannot fully express my gratitude as this has truly been a blessing.

My time abroad has led to meaningful growth in every area of my life — personally, academically, and professionally. Personally, I’ve learned how to become comfortable with the uncomfortable. While abroad, it’s common to face unexpected challenges, such as travel delays, cancellations, or feeling out of place as a tourist. As someone who tends to be anxious and stressed, I’ve grown more capable of adapting to difficult situations and making the most of them. This has helped me mature and prepare for the inevitable challenges I’ll face as I transition into adulthood and start living independently. Academically, I’ve expanded my knowledge in finance through an International Finance course and deepened my understanding of Italian culture through arts and science classes. From learning to sculpt with clay, to speaking Italian, to analyzing art in local museums, I’ve been able to apply what I learned in the classroom directly to my everyday life in Florence. I’ve also sharpened my time management skills, balancing coursework during the week so I could make the most of my weekends traveling. This discipline will serve me well as I take on more demanding, major-specific courses next year at Pitt Business. Professionally, I’ve gained valuable exposure to different cultures, learning how to be more inclusive and culturally aware, no matter where someone is from. This was only my second time outside the United States, and I’ve come to appreciate the beauty and diversity of countries across Europe, Asia, and Africa. The cultural norms and global perspectives I’ve encountered will be essential tools in my future career. I hope to leverage this experience in the business world, especially as I pursue a career in accounting with a Big Four firm. I’m excited about the possibility of frequent travel early in my career and now feel better prepared to manage both my physical and professional well-being while on the road. I’ve also developed a strong interest in seeing as many countries as I can, and I’m seriously considering spending a year abroad for work, an experience I believe would help jumpstart my career.

Once again, thank you so much for your kindness and generosity. I can’t believe my time in Florence is coming to an end, but I’m incredibly excited to return home and share all the ways I’ve grown personally, academically, and professionally.

Signing off, 

Nicola in Firenze