Although I am taking an International Marketing course, many of my classes during my semester abroad do not focus on business. Instead, they involve history and the arts. This is quite different from my usual schedule as a business student at Pitt. 

Here in Florence, I am taking an Italian language course, an oil painting course, and an urban studies course in which we analyze globalization and its effects on Florentine culture. The classroom dynamics here are much more traditional, with little to no use of technology, and the majority of notes and exams are handwritten. Although this might seem restrictive, I appreciate how it encourages us to stay engaged and give our full attention to each lecture.

The classes here are also much smaller, and professors truly value your participation in class. I have found that being successful in this academic environment requires staying on top of your coursework (per usual) while also adapting to different teaching and learning styles. I suggest using the small classroom sizes as an opportunity to ask questions, participate in discussions, and truly get to know your professors and peers. 

My favorite class so far has been Introduction to Oil Painting. I have always enjoyed painting, but I have never applied specific techniques to my artwork before. This course has challenged me to experiment with different drawing and painting styles, and I am so grateful for the ability to partake in a course that lets me dive into my creative side!

As we approach the halfway mark and prepare for midterms, I have taken the time to reflect on how much I’ve learned so far and am excited to continue growing and expanding my learning in the weeks ahead.