Hi, I’m Heera. I’m a Junior, Finance and Accounting major. I’m pursuing a career in investment banking and I’m very interested in the intersection of global business and culture. This led me to study abroad in Florence, where I can learn about Italian culture and European financial dynamics. Personally, I enjoy travelling and running. I’ve enjoyed my Florence experience so far, and I’m excited to continue growing inside and outside the classroom.

I chose to study abroad in Florence because this experience gives me an exposure to academics, history, and Italian culture. As someone interested in both finance and entrepreneurship, I wanted to study in a city where I could explore both these dynamics. Italy has a tremendous influence on art, commerce and design, making Florence an ideal place to learn in the classroom and throughout the city itself. My goals throughout the program are to improve my Italian language skills, fully immerse myself in Italian culture, and gain an international perspective to further my personal and professional development. 

My host institution, CEA CAPA, is quite different from Pitt’s campus. Pitt’s campus is very urban compared to my Florence campus. Pitt has a large campus very integrated in a lively city, whereas my Florence campus, while integrated in the city, is much more intimately set. Classes in Florence are much more discussion based, with smaller groups and more interactive components. One of my favorite aspects of Florence classes is getting to walk through the historic streets of Florence as part of my class. This has been an adjustment, but seeing the beautiful city architecture and unique layout is something I really enjoy.

My new neighborhood has been an interesting but welcome adjustment as well. We are located in Sant’ambrogio, a more local neighborhood outside of the city center. While it’s quite a long walk to class every day, about 30-35 mins, I have enjoyed the more complete immersion in Italian culture. We interact with locals daily, ordering coffee, sandwiches, and lunch in Italian and getting a better understanding of daily Italian life. Adapting to the long commute has been a challenge, however, the local environment has been a great experience during my Florence program so far. Further, I live in an apartment with six total roommates. Three of us are Pitt students and have been friends since our last global experience in Korea. We’ve all had a great time meeting our new roommates and adapting to our local living experience. I’m looking forward to my coming months in Florence!