Skills for a Lifetime

Studying abroad in Italy is a life changing experience that not only broadens your horizons but also helps you develop various skills, both soft and hard. In my case, studying abroad in Florence has helped me develop numerous soft and hard skills that will be beneficial in both my personal life and professional career.  One…

Abroad Changed Me…

Many people who have studied abroad return back to the States and joke about how “abroad changed them” as it takes time to adjust back to their normal lives; now being halfway through my study abroad experience, I can confidently say that studying abroad will “change me”, but in the best way possible. Living in…

Refining soft skills abroad

Hi again! We are now on week 10 of the program which is just insane – March has absolutely flown by and it does not feel real! Over the past three weeks, we had our Spring Break, and then I had visitors from Pitt come for their spring break week. March has been absolutely incredible…

Mid-semester Reflection

Jessie Lovallo Jessie LoVallo Global Business Institute: Sydney Spring 2023 Hello again! It has been a few weeks since I last posted and I have made lots of memories in new places that I would love to share! For our spring break, we flew to Queenstown, New Zealand for the week. Immediately walking off the…

Skills I Have Picked Up In London

The most significant soft skill that I am developing throughout this program is communication. Being in a completely new environment on your own is no small feat. To have a successful semester working abroad and living in such close quarters with 5 other people requires solid communication. In the case of my living situation, it…

Development, Activity, and the Halfway Mark

Hello Everyone! I hope all has been well since I last wrote a few weeks ago. Since then, I have been very busy, and want to catch you all up on everything that’s been going on. A few weeks ago, I traveled two hours south to a small beach town called Gerroa on Seven Mile…

Trials and Tribulations Abroad

When studying abroad in a new culture, there are bound to be challenges and uncomfortable changes. In Italy, a big cultural challenge for me was adapting to the shorter hours of operation at stores and restaurants. In the U.S., I’m used to being able to eat at any time of the day or night, or…

Developing Global Competencies

Studying abroad has pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to develop new skills to succeed. It has also shown me that I am capable of more than I ever thought I was. Adjusting to a new culture and a different way of life can be challenging, especially when you are doing…

The Florence Survival Guide

Having been in Florence for over a month, I can say that one of the most challenging parts of culture to assimilate with is the language. Although many Italians speak proficient english, there are still many florentines that do not. This means that having a small amount of Italian is essential if you are out…