My name is Patrick Monahan, and I am a junior in Pitt Business majoring in accounting and finance. This summer, I will be interning with KPMG in the audit department. I am extremely excited for this opportunity because I hope to begin my career in auditing, and this internship feels like the first big step toward that goal. In my free time, I enjoy going to the gym, playing basketball, and spending time with friends. I also really enjoy being in nature and love activities like hiking and skiing.

I am participating in the Global Business Institute (GBI) in Florence, Italy. I chose to participate in a GBI because I wanted the opportunity to take business courses that are directly relevant to my major. While I am here, I am taking international finance, which allows me to have this incredible study abroad experience without extending my four years at Pitt. Learning about international finance while living in Italy has added a whole new layer to my education, as I am studying global markets while being immersed in a global environment.

I also chose Florence because I have always wanted to travel to and explore Italy. Since I was younger, I thought Italy looked beautiful and knew I wanted to experience it firsthand. The opportunity to study abroad in one of Italy’s major cities was exactly what I was looking for.

One similarity between my host institution and Pitt is the people. There is a large group of Pitt students here, so many of my classes are filled with familiar faces. However, there are far more differences than similarities. One major difference is class size. At Pitt, I have never had a class with fewer than 20 students, while in Florence I do not have a class with more than 15. This has been a nice change of pace. Although participating in class can be stressful at times, it helps keep classes engaging and allows me to learn more.

Another difference is that I am studying with CEA CAPA, so there is not a traditional campus. Instead, classes are spread throughout the city. This is enjoyable for the semester because I get to explore the city, but I definitely appreciate the campus we have at Pitt.  A third difference is that some of my classes involve going out and exploring Florence itself, which is something I would never do in a typical classroom setting at Pitt and something I am really enjoying.

I live in an apartment with one roommate and eight suitemates. The apartment is nice and spacious, although the kitchen can definitely get crowded. We are located fairly far from the city center, so it is about a thirty-minute walk to my classes. While the walk can be long, the neighborhood is very nice. Being outside the city center means there are more locals around, along with many cafés and restaurants that serve authentic food.

Adapting to a new living situation and a new country has definitely been a lot to take in. I have a new roommate and am constantly meeting new people. Overall, though, I am adjusting well. I love exploring Italy and experiencing everything it has to offer.