As my semester abroad in Florence comes to a close, I want to take the time to reflect upon the amazing experience I’ve had and also how the CBA Global Experiences Scholarship helped to facilitate my incredible semester. Spending a full semester in Italy has truly been one of the best opportunities of my life and certainly of my time at Pitt. I had the chance to visit so many new and unique places both in Italy and across Europe, on top of fully immersing myself in the Italian culture and taking on an internship while abroad. From the art galleries of Florence to hiking mountains in Cinque Terre and the castles of Romania, I have had the incredible opportunity to see so many new places I never could have imagined visiting. These experiences will stay with him for the rest of my life.

Through these numerous experiences, I’ve grown personally, academically, and professionally. I have learned to navigate new and unfamiliar circumstances and thrive in them. I have taken the time to learn much more about myself, how I learn, adapt, and carry myself. Utilizing the opportunity to take part in an internship abroad has sharpened my skills in film while also teaching me some valuable lessons in time management. I gained new perspectives on culture and language that I previously did not have the framework to assess, and I feel this will translate well into my future professional career. Learning to navigate a different cultural context pushed me way outside of my comfort zone in the best possible way. It wasn’t always an easy time abroad, but it was always worth it.

As I draw near my return home, I know I will take all of my experiences and skills with me. When I return to Pitt Business in the fall, I plan to take on new challenges and face unfamiliar situations, something I’ve learned I can handle. Additionally, I want to engage with more local culture in the Pittsburgh area, especially given the new framework I’ve developed while in Europe. I’m hoping to leverage all of these new perspectives by remaining unafraid in the face of adversity and progressing in my professional life with a more global mindset. Florence has genuinely provided me with one of the most fantastic experiences, and I cannot wait to see how I take what I’ve learned and apply it throughout the rest of my life. I know this chapter of my journey at Pitt will continue to influence the way I see the world.