Hi all! My name is Kyle Reardon and I am currently a junior at the University of Pittsburgh studying Finance, Business Analytics, and Economics. Outside of the classroom, I am involved in AKPsi, Pitt Stop to Wall Street, and Panther Equity on campus. I am someone who loves outdoor activities such as running, hiking, biking, skiing, and surfing. Other hobbies I enjoy are videography, trading stocks, reading, and building Legos. My goals for this program are to broaden my cultural reach and get out of my comfort zone. I want to be able to travel and explore different ways of life, mannerisms, and traditions in order to compare these to my own life and experiences in America. Further, I want to try new activities, foods, meet new people, and expose myself to things I may not be able to experience in the United States for a deeper understanding of what it means to be human and have human experiences.

School in Florence is quite similar and different from Pitt. We have classes in different buildings similar to Pitt, however, some of my classes aren’t in academic buildings (Museums, Studios, etc.) Classes are structured similarly to Pitt, with most being on Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday, however, I have elected to take more artistic classes. While I’m used to analyzing market trends and spreadsheets back in Pittsburgh, studying art history in the very place the Renaissance was born provides a completely different perspective on value and legacy. The city has a lot more history than Pittsburgh, and it is very prevalent. Every piazza, building, or square has gorgeously intricate designs and there are incredible art pieces all located in the city.

I like how close everything is in the new neighborhood. I really enjoy walking through all of the markets as well, whether that’s for fresh food or new clothes! Navigating the local leather markets and food stalls has been a masterclass in local commerce and negotiation, which is a fun change of pace from my usual stock trading. I am currently living in an apartment with five other guys. It has two stories and is definitely older than most buildings in Pittsburgh, however, it is an incredible place to call home for the next three months. Living in such a historic space with a large group already feels like a crash course in adaptability. I’m looking forward to documenting our weekend travels through my camera lens and seeing how the pace of life here continues to reshape my own outlook.