Coming into the Quito airport I was beyond excited. Not only had I just stepped foot onto the South American continent for the first time, but there was no Pittsburgh cold weather. We were surrounded by palm trees, a sparkling city, and new faces. Following the flight, we went over to the mall across the…
Internship Advice
At the beginning of the semester, my internship was slow to start. First I met with an interviewer, Thomas. The “interview” was informal and nothing to be worried about, it was more about Thomas getting to know each other. After chatting for a little while, Thomas walked me to my internship site, Engel and Voelkes,…
Mi Casa es Su Casa
At this point in my Spring study abroad program, I am starting to get into the swing of my new-normal. Throughout this semester, I will be living with a host family in a central Buenos Aires neighborhood called Recoleta, which is known for the famous Recoleta Cemetery that houses the grave of Eva Perón. My…
Trains vs Planes
My daily commute to school can be summed up as a 25 minute stroll across the width of the center of Florence. I step out of my apartment building right onto the Arno, and usually the first Florentines I see are those rowing down the river each day. (Actually, the street name “Lungarno” is a…
My Classes Abroad
As I have continued throughout my semester here in Florence, I wanted to take some time to reflect on my courses and how they are different than in the United States. I am currently taking Global Workforce Management, Global Organizational Behavior, Italian and Renaissance Art. The two business classes are taught by an Italian professor…
A Brief Look at the Importance of Global Cultural Competency
I just want to first start off this reflection by saying that Trinidad truly was amazing. This personal and authentic experience of a vastly different culture is something I know I’ll never forget. I met an abundance of great people, tried so many new foods, and laughed more than I ever have all throughout it….
A Life Changing Experience
A noticeable cultural difference between the United States and Trinidad was the pace of the day. Trinis have a slow and laid back approach to their daily lives while in American culture, it is common to have a pace that is more catered to a schedule. It was difficult for the group to adjust to…
Already Missing Bolivia
This week has undoubtedly been a life-changing and eye-opening one. Bolivia is such a beautiful country that has welcomed our whole team with arms wide open, and through the week we saw and learned and grew together. The entire week was full of such rich experiences; it felt like we were there for so much…
Gustavo Has My Suitcase…A Week Full of Memories, Experiences, and Curveballs
This past week was truly incredible. Before leaving for Cochabamba, Bolivia, I had heard so many stories from people who went during the past two years, but as amazing as their stories were, nothing can fulfill that experience than actually going and experiencing it for myself. I learned so much about different Bolivian business practices…