These past four months have been the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. I’ve had the opportunity not only to live in Florence but also to discover new cultures around the world. Through traveling, I have developed my flexibility, problem-solving, and adaptability skills. This personal growth will influence me throughout my life, as I now understand how to navigate difficult situations and trust my instincts.
Through this program, I also participated in an internship in Italy. My role was a Marketing Intern at Accord Solutions, a tourism agency based in Florence. Through trial and error in navigating an international workplace, I was able to develop skills relevant to my major and future career. I learned how to create effective digital content to engage with audiences on social media and how to use tourism marketing to promote a company offering tours and experiences. While honing these skills, I also worked on my “soft” skills. By working with coworkers who didn’t speak much English and in a business setting with a different culture than what I’m used to, I learned how to approach intercultural communication and acclimate to a new environment. With this professional development, I feel prepared for my future career. Although I am not certain what I would like to do long-term, I feel confident I can achieve my future goals because of my newfound professional and “soft” skills.
Another area in which I have grown is my academic career. This semester, I participated in classes that were not just related to my major but also aligned with my interests. For example, I joined a Beginner Oil Painting class. I have not taken an art class since middle school, but it has always been a field I’ve wanted to return to. I figured Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, was the best place to take an art class again. Through the process of learning to paint, I have developed my patience and focus. This experience will influence me in my academic career because I now understand the importance of taking classes not only to gain knowledge but also to expand my perspective.
I have many takeaways from this program. Across my personal, professional, and academic growth, my biggest development has been my drive for challenges and trust in myself. I found that I grow and learn the most when I face challenges, and when I trust my abilities to overcome them, the results are always rewarding. I plan to incorporate this lesson in my senior year at Pitt Business by not steering away from difficult programs or choices but instead embracing them. I plan to continue this perspective in my future career to take advantage of opportunities and see where the future takes me.