One of the biggest adjustments for me in Italy has been the pace of life. People here take a lot more time with everyday things, whether it’s meals, conversations, or just moving through their day. There isn’t the same sense of rushing from one obligation to the next that I am used to. Coming from the United States, and especially studying finance, I’m very used to a fast-paced environment where school and internships revolve around tight deadlines and a constant sense of urgency. Because of that, adjusting to a slower pace at first felt unfamiliar and a little difficult. I’m used to always thinking about the next task or deadline, but I’ve started to appreciate the slower pace and see the value in not rushing through my days.

Although the adjustment has been challenging, I prefer the work culture here. The slower pace allows people to focus more on quality over quantity and balance, rather than constantly feeling pressure. Over the past couple of months, I have started to appreciate this and am trying my best to slow down and be present. In my classes, I felt that sometimes the structure can be different from what I am used to in the United States. For example, my Italian language class is the only class that has consistent weekly assignments, while the other classes have larger projects or exams. This required me to rethink my time management because I am used to having weekly assignments that keep me on track with the material. Here, I need to be proactive about reviewing the material when there are fewer immediate deadlines.

Navigating cross-cultural situations has mostly meant slowing down and being more aware of how I interact with people. Since there can be a language barrier at times, I try to really listen and not rush conversations. I try my best to use basic Italian when I can, even if it is just small phrases like saying hello/goodbye or thanking someone. When entering a restaurant or café, I try to start by speaking in Italian before switching to English. I think people appreciate the effort and it leads to better interactions. Talking with other students in the program has also been interesting because everyone notices different things about the culture depending on their background. Overall, these experiences have made me more aware of how culture shapes the way people approach things like communication, work or school, and everyday life, This has made me more adaptable and open minded.