This semester, I’m taking Intro to Italian, Oil Painting, Sculpting, and International Finance. It’s definitely a change from my usual Pitt classes, which tend to be more number-focused and analytical. At first, I wasn’t sure how the change would be, but it’s actually been a really positive shift. These art and language classes have pushed me to learn new skills and think in ways I don’t normally get to in my regular coursework.
My art classes have been especially rewarding. Sculpting has taught me patience and how to really pay attention to small details. Working with clay is harder than it looks, and it requires a lot of focus and planning. Painting has been a similar experience. Layering colors and thinking about light and shadow has helped me see things more carefully, which has provided me with a new appreciation of the art I have seen here. I’ve also found a creative outlet I didn’t really have before, which has been refreshing.
Intro to Italian has been another fun challenge. Learning a new language takes persistence and practice, and I’ve had to get used to making mistakes and learning from them. It’s taught me how important communication is, not just in grammar but also in understanding culture and context. Surprisingly, I’ve found these skills useful in my other classes too, thinking critically, being patient, and approaching problems from different angles. Furthermore, it’s given me the confidence and knowledge needed to properly immerse myself in Italian culture and navigate Florence.
One thing I’ve noticed this semester is how the academic environment here encourages independence. Professors give you the space to explore your own ideas and expect you to take responsibility for your learning. In finance, that means digging into complex case studies, while in art, it’s experimenting and trying new things without worrying too much about being perfect. Having a mix of creative and analytical classes has shown me that thinking creatively and thinking logically can actually complement each other.
Overall, this semester has been a really eye-opening experience. I’ve learned new skills like patience, focus, and critical thinking, and I’ve found ways to express myself creatively that I didn’t have before. It’s a good reminder that stepping outside your comfort zone, whether it’s in art, language, or anything else, can be just as valuable as sticking to what you already know. I’ve even started taking photos of my progress in painting and sculpting to track how much I’ve grown over the semester.
