This semester I’m studying abroad in Florence, Italy, and even though I’m not doing an internship, the experience has still felt very professionally and academically challenging in the best way. I’m taking International Finance, International Marketing, Oil Painting, and Italian, which is a pretty interesting mix of business, creativity, and language learning.
In International Finance, we focus on topics like exchange rates, currency risk, and how multinational companies make financial decisions. It is definitely one of my more technical classes, and it requires strong analytical and quantitative skills. International Marketing connects well with that class because we talk about how companies expand globally, adapt to different cultures, and choose market entry strategies. That class involves a lot of case studies and discussions, so critical thinking and participation are really important.
Oil Painting is completely different from my business classes, but I have grown to love the creative challenge. It requires patience, attention to detail, and being open to feedback. Having a professor who cares a lot and makes it apparent that painting should be fun rather than a chore helps a lot too. Studying art in Florence makes it even more meaningful because you’re surrounded by so much history and incredible artwork. My Italian class has also been a big part of the experience, as learning the language has helped me feel more connected to the culture and more confident navigating daily life.
To succeed in this academic environment, time management has been essential. Balancing homework, planning trips, weekend traveling, and appreciating the city of Florence can be overwhelming if I’m not organized. Adaptability is also really important. Living in another country means adjusting to different teaching styles, cultural norms, and even different expectations about communication. Being open minded and willing to step outside my comfort zone has made a big difference.
The academic culture here feels more discussion-based and interactive than I expected in comparison to Pitt. Professors encourage participation and value diverse perspectives, especially in classes like International Marketing where culture plays a major role. Outside the classroom, Florence itself influences the experience. The pace of life feels slower and more relationship focused compared to what I am used to. There is a strong appreciation for history, art, and enrichment, which has helped me to fully immerse myself in the study abroad experience.
Adapting to these new courses and a completely new environment has pushed me to be extremely open minded and appreciative, both of my academic and professional development!
