Hi everyone! My name is Isabelle, and I recently finished my third year at the University of Pittsburgh studying Finance and International Business. I am incredibly excited to begin my experience in Prague and to share my journey through these blog posts. I am excited for the opportunity to connect what I have learned in the classroom with real-life experiences abroad. While classes provide knowledge and theory, being immersed in a different country allows that learning to become more tangible. I am looking forward to observing cultural differences firsthand and thinking critically about how people live, communicate, work, and interact in ways that may be different from what I am used to in the United States. I know this experience will give me a broader global perspective and deepen my understanding of how culture shapes everyday life.
I see this internship abroad as an opportunity to develop skills that will be valuable in any career. The ability to communicate across cultures, adapt to unfamiliar situations, collaborate with people from different backgrounds, and approach challenges with flexibility are important in today’s global environment. I hope my time in Prague helps me strengthen these skills while also making me more confident, independent, and open-minded in both professional and personal settings. I have always been drawn to opportunities that allow me to experience new places, meet new people, and learn through immersion. I enjoy challenging myself in unfamiliar environments because I believe those experiences lead to the most growth. I am looking forward to this experience because it combines travel, independence, and cultural learning in a meaningful way. I am especially excited for the chance to live in another country and experience everyday life from a new perspective.
I chose the Prague program because it felt like a unique opportunity to fully immerse myself in a city with such rich history, culture, and international significance. Prague stood out to me because of its blend of historic tradition and modern life. I am excited to experience the city, getting to walk through its neighborhoods, learn about its history firsthand, experience the local culture, and better understand what daily life is like there. I was also drawn to the opportunity to study in a place so different from home while still being in a city known for its strong academic environment, cultural identity, and central role in Europe.
I hope this experience helps me become more independent and confident. I know that living abroad will challenge me to be adaptable, patient, and open-minded, and I believe those experiences will help me grow both personally and professionally. I am looking forward to building meaningful relationships, creating lasting memories, and gaining a deeper appreciation for perspectives that are different from my own. I also hope to gain a stronger understanding of Czech culture and history by making connections between my work and the world around me. I am excited to learn not only through my internship, but also through everyday experiences. By being fully immersed in the environment, I hope to better understand the people, traditions, and lifestyle of the city. At the same time, I see this experience as an opportunity to continue developing my global competencies. I want to strengthen my ability to communicate across cultural differences, adapt to new environments, and approach the world with a broader perspective. These are skills that will be valuable no matter what career path I pursue, and I believe my time abroad in Prague will help me develop them in a meaningful and lasting way.
Overall, I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work in Prague. I know this experience will challenge me in new ways, but I am excited for everything that comes with it. My goal is to embrace this opportunity fully, stay open to learning, and use my time abroad to grow personally, academically, and professionally. I am looking forward to documenting my experiences throughout this journey and reflecting on everything I learn along the way.