It’s almost hard to believe that in just over a week I will be leaving Florence. Deciding to study abroad was one of the best decisions I have made throughout my academic career. When I first arrived, I was honestly nervous and overwhelmed, unsure of what to expect. It was my first time traveling to Europe and being away from home for such a long time. Without the comfort of having my usual support system, I had to learn to navigate a new cultural environment independently. After spending 4 months in Italy, I was pushed to step out of my comfort and embrace uncertainty. Whether it was figuring out the transportation system, communicating across language barriers, or even just simply adapting to the different pace of life, I learned to become more resourceful and self-reliant. Over time, these initial feelings of nervousness shifted into excitement of embracing unfamiliarity.
Personally, I have developed a new sense of confidence and adaptability. Prior to this program, I was much more comfortable with sticking to familiar routines and environments, and I didn’t realize how much I relied on that sense of predictability. One of the first challenges I had to navigate was living with four new roommates for the first time. Back in Pittsburgh, I was used to living with one roommate, so suddenly sharing a common space with four complete strangers felt unfamiliar. Despite coming from different background and schools, I came to build meaningful and genuine friendships with them, which I will continue to maintain even after the program ends. Another challenge I faced was adjusting to the language barrier. Living in a very local area of Florence, I was initially hesitant to speak to locals in my very broken Italian. However, through my Italian course and consistent daily practice, I have grown more comfortable in having conversations. I can now confidently enter a coffee shop or restaurant and order in Italian. Beyond language and living arrangements, I have also learned to adapt to the slower pace of life in Italy. I have come to appreciate being fully present in the moment, sharing meaningful conversations over a meal, and even just taking in the beautiful views in Florence.
In terms of professional growth, the most significant soft skills I developed were communication and problem-solving. In particular, my consulting class gave me the hands-on experience to apply these skills in a cross-cultural setting. I had the opportunity to work with Italian clients and provide recommendations based on their business goals. Navigating both language and cultural differences allowed me to be more intentional with how I expressed myself and communicated with others.
As I return back to campus next semester, these are life lessons and experiences that I will continue to carry forward and incorporate into my daily routine. I will now return to campus with a more open mindset. I’m looking forward to continue learning, growing, and applying these skills into both a professional and academic environment. I am so grateful for having the opportunity to study abroad and for everyone who helped make it possible.
