As I wrap up this incredible journey, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to my scholarship donors for making this opportunity possible. Your support has helped me to pursue a once-in-a-lifetime experience that has allowed me to grow tremendously. I have cherished every single moment in the beautiful city of Florence and throughout my time traveling in Europe.

Over the course of the semester, I have seen remarkable growth in myself. Personally, I’ve developed more independence and resilience. Living in a foreign country has pushed me out of my comfort zone and encouraged me to adapt quickly and think independently. These moments of challenge became moments of growth, and now I feel more comfortable than ever navigating unfamiliar situations smoothly.

Academically, I was exposed to global perspectives on finance, economics, tourism, and sustainability. Learning about these topics helped broaden my understanding of the world and global cities. I was also exposed to smaller class sizes here, which helped me to be more engaged during lectures.

Professionally, this program has helped me further define my career goals and sharpen skills that will help me reach them. I’ve improved my communication skills, which will help me network effectively and improve my ability to work in teams. I also feel more confident in the career that I want after gaining exposure to global classes in finance and economics.

Overall, my most critical takeaways from this experience are the importance of adaptability and socializing with friends. Whether it was living with new roommates, communicating with people across different languages, or solving a problem on the spot, I’ve learned to stay open-minded and flexible. Furthermore, I have learned that I really thrive off socializing multiple times a week with friends outside of academic settings. Whether it is only for half an hour a day, I think there is a great mental benefit to this, and I could see it positively impacting my academic performance as well. As I return to campus, I am excited to share what I’ve learned with my peers and apply these skills to my professional career.

Thank you again,

Ian