One of the biggest cultural adjustments for me in Italy has been adapting to a slower, more relationship-centered pace of daily life. In the U.S., especially as a student balancing classes, internships, extracurriculars, and constant deadlines, I am used to moving quickly and planning everything very precisely. In Florence, I have noticed that daily routines feel much more flexible and less rushed. Meals are longer, stores often close in the middle of the day, and people seem much more comfortable taking time to talk and enjoy where they are instead of always focusing on what comes next. At first, that felt unfamiliar, especially when I was trying to manage schoolwork while adjusting to a new city, but over time I have started to appreciate the intentionality behind it. What has helped most is allowing myself to slow down too, whether that means sitting longer at dinner with classmates, walking instead of rushing, or being more patient when plans unfold differently than expected.

In the classroom, one area of uncertainty has been adjusting to different expectations around assignments and participation. Some classes here feel more discussion-based and less explicitly structured than what I am used to at Pitt, so there have been moments where I was unsure how detailed a response should be or how much interpretation was expected in written work. Rather than expecting immediate clarity, I have learned to ask more questions, compare notes with classmates, and pay closer attention to the examples professors give during class. That has helped me become more comfortable with ambiguity and more independent in how I approach my work.

Cross-cultural interactions have probably been the most valuable part of being here. Even simple interactions, like ordering food in Italian, asking for directions, or speaking with shop owners, have made me more aware of how communication extends beyond language. Tone, patience, and body language matter much more than I initially realized, especially when I am not fully confident speaking Italian. Spending time with other students in my program has also been meaningful because everyone experiences Florence differently, and hearing how others interpret the city has made me reflect more on my own habits and assumptions. I think being here has made me more adaptable and more aware of the way I present myself in unfamiliar situations. It has also reminded me that identity is flexible. I still feel very connected to who I am at Pitt, but being here has made me more open to slowing down, observing more carefully, and approaching unfamiliar situations with curiosity rather than immediately trying to control them