With only a week until I head back to the United States, I have spent some time reflecting on the amazing experience study abroad has provided me. The opportunity to spend a semester in Florence has been one of the most impactful times of my college career and has developed me as an individual significantly….

Dear Pre-Italy Ryan, Right now, you’re probably feeling a mix of excitement and uncertainty as you prepare to leave the country for four months. You’ve spent a lot of time building a packing list, researching places to visit, and imagining how this journey would unfold. However, let me tell you—nothing can truly prepare you for…

Now that I’ve lived in Florence for over 2 months, I am starting to see some of the skills and lessons that I’ve been able to pick up along the way. Living in a different country has many challenges, however, this has given me the opportunity to get exposure to new scenarios that I haven’t…

It has been nearly 2 months since arriving in Florence and over that time I’ve had some unique learning opportunities and challenges. Before coming to Italy, I knew that there would be some differences in my day-to-day life, but some of them I never thought of. Walking is the main mode of transportation in Florence,…

Ciao! This semester I am studying a range of courses that are supporting my personal and professional development. The first class I am taking is International Finance, which is an elective for the Finance major. It gives a high overview of the world of finance while introducing some deeper topics like exchange rates and international…

Ciao! My name is Ryan, and I am a junior at Pitt studying finance and economics. I am from a small town outside of Allentown, PA. This semester, I am studying abroad in Florence, Italy, through the Global Business Institute. It has always been a goal of mine to step outside the U.S. and live…