Ciao! My name is Erynne Long. I am a junior in the College of Business Administration at Pitt, currently studying abroad in Florence, Italy! I am double majoring in Supply Chain and Global Management and minoring in Spanish. I chose to study abroad through the Global Business Institute because I knew Florence was the location I wanted to go to. I’ve never been to Europe before, and Italy seemed like the perfect place to go to for my first time. Additionally, I have a little bit of Italian background and I’ve always wanted to learn more about the culture and traditions. I believe studying in an international context is a once in a lifetime opportunity that will give me many valuable experiences.

The university I am enrolled in here is called CEA CAPA. It is interesting learning from professors and interacting with staff members whose first language isn’t English. They all are proficient in english, so it doesn’t affect our interactions much, but it is definitely something I wasn’t prepared for. There are aspects that are similar to Pitt in many ways, such as the feel of the city. People walk wherever they need to get to and I walk by other study abroad students constantly. It helps create that college town-like feel. CEA CAPA also provides extra curricular activities like Pitt, including intramural sports. There are also many differences between the cultures, however. Being late to class is considered very disrespectful and professors don’t take it lightly. It is also considered rude to not say ‘hi’ or ‘good morning/afternoon’ whenever you walk into a store or cafe. The culture here is very conscious of manners and respect for those older than you, which is something I think isn’t as important in the United States or at Pitt.

Adjusting to living here has affected me in many ways. My apartment is one of the farthest from the center of the city. I have a 25 minute walk to class every day, which is similar to some Oakland students’ walks, but I am personally not used to it. It is a beautiful city however, so the walk actually isn’t that bad. I live with 5 other Pitt students, 3 of whom I didn’t know beforehand. I have really enjoyed getting to know them, and all the other study abroad students in my classes. Adapting to living in a new city, a new time zone and with new people was a little bit challenging at first. However, I feel very lucky that I became quick friends with my roommates as it made the transition feel a lot easier. Taking an Italian class has also been useful in exchanges with locals at the grocery store or in coffee shops. I understand that they also have to adapt to hundreds of American college students moving to their city, so being able to talk to them in their language makes the adaptions easier on both sides. Overall, my first few weeks in Florence have been filled with many new experiences and new friends, and I am so grateful to be here!