I cannot believe how quickly this semester is moving! We are already in the middle of midterms and things are picking up. This semester I am taking Cross-Cultural Psychology, International Economics, Italian, and Business Consulting.
My favorite class so far has been Cross-Cultural Psychology because it does not just stay in the classroom. We have taken the time to step out of the classroom a couple times to observe daily life here and compare it to our studies. Whether it is a small cultural difference in communication or about values and social norms, I am constantly connecting with what we talk about in class to real experiences.
Business Consulting has been one of the most unique courses I have taken because it is a field project where we work directly with a real company here in Florence. Instead of analyzing case studies from a textbook, we are actually developing solutions and recommendations that have real implications. For this project, I am working on the sales team, so I spend a lot of time thinking about how the company can actually attract and keep customers. We talk through who the ideal client is, how to reach them, and what makes the company stand out. It has been eye-opening to realize how much thought and strategy goes into something that sounds as simple as “sales.” There is a lot more behind it than just selling a product, it is about understanding people and communicating value clearly. The class is very collaborative, so we are constantly checking in with the other teams to make sure everything connects. Being part of this process has pushed me to speak up more, take initiative, and feel more confident sharing my ideas.
Each of my classes feels completely different from the others, which keeps things interesting and honestly never boring. Cross-Cultural Psychology is reflective and discussion-heavy, International Economics challenges me analytically, Business Consulting is hands-on and professional, and Italian is interactive and immersive. Overall, this environment has been pushing me academically while also helping me grow more confident, adaptable, and engaged in what I am learning.
