As the semester draws to a close, I am left with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for being able to have the privilege of being able to have such incredible experiences. From the first week to the last, there has not been a single moment when I did not feel an ounce of regret for choosing to study abroad. Something specific I have noticed is the growth I have seen in myself personally. It is difficult to nail down exactly where this growth lies, largely because I believe I have grown in so many areas, from the personal to the professional. This all culminates in the soft skills I have been able to develop throughout the program. Confidence is something I have always looked to continually develop, and this semester has pushed me out of my comfort zone more times than ever before. But every single time it happened, I was left learning something about myself that I either did not know or could not be confirmed. I learned I am resilient and a problem-solver, skills that I am more than prepared to take with me as this chapter of my life draws to a close.

I also saw growth in a more unexpected area through my academic experience. While abroad, I had the opportunity to study art more closely, including taking a sculpture course. This class challenged me in a completely different way than my business courses, requiring patience, creativity, and attention to detail. At first, working with sculpture felt unfamiliar, but over time, I began to really enjoy the process. It pushed me to think differently and step into a more creative mindset. What started as just another class ended up becoming something I genuinely looked forward to, and it has even turned into a new hobby that I hope to continue beyond this semester. Being able to explore something outside of my main field of study made the experience feel more well-rounded and gave me a new appreciation for the arts.

I plan to leverage my takeaways from my experience with this program into not just my final year with Pitt Business, but also this Summer with my internship and my professional career beyond. I have had the privilege to share this experience with other like-minded, high-achieving students who will no doubt go on to lead successful careers. This personal network I have created will also lend itself to a professional network of people I can rely on, and has also shown me how to view individuals I work with as humans first. Your network is your support system, and I’m sure this one will follow me long after I depart Florence.