Pitt Global Experiences Students' Blog

  • Hi, everyone! My name is Alex and I studied abroad with the Pitt in London program in the summer of 2022. Pitt in London is one of our university’s Panther Programs, which are programs designed by the Global Experiences staff along with faculty, that are comprised primarily of Pitt students. As an English Literature and Writing double major, I found that the Pitt in London program was a straightforward way to take the classes I was interested in and earn Pitt credit for them! While there were a range of classes to choose from, I decided on taking “Post-War Pop Culture in Britain” and “... Read More

  • Being an American abroad has indeed been an interesting experience for me. One of the most distinct things that I have noticed is that being removed from my own culture has made me aware of the many cultural elements that I take for granted. While it is a popular joke that Americans ‘have no culture,’ being in France has made me realize that we do. It is in the differences between French and American life that I have begun to identify elements of my home culture. For example, while Americans often smile while passing one another on the street, the French never do. In restaurants, American... Read More

  • Today is my last day on the Pitt in LA program, and what an adventure it has been! The Pitt in LA program has truly been a transformative experience for me, both personally and professionally. 
     
    Through this program, I’ve had the opportunity to visit the offices of Lionsgate and Warner Music Group to hear insight from industry professionals. We’ve also had a variety of guest speakers that are Pitt Alumni, ranging from Anomaly Pictures’ Adam Fasullo to Warner Records’ Mike Claricurzio and so many more. 
     
    I think the biggest professional takeaway I’ve gained from... Read More

  • My biggest piece of advice when studying abroad with DIS is to take courses that spark your interest, not just courses that are relevant to your future career or plan of study at Pitt. I am a major proponent of exploring new areas while abroad. You are immersing yourself in an entirely different culture, so you might as well immerse yourself in an entirely new field if it interests you! DIS is unique in the sense that they let you mix-and-match each course you take, and each course does not have to be part of a certain “major” like many other programs require. If you are interested in... Read More

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    Studying abroad in Florence gave me a completely different academic experience compared to my time at Pitt in Pittsburgh. The school portion in Florence was all about being interactive, integrating art and culture, and finding a good balance between learning and exploring. One big difference was how interactive the learning was. Instead of just sitting in a classroom at Pitt, I got to go to museums and art galleries as part of my studies in Florence. Seeing famous paintings and sculptures up close made the subjects more interesting to me, personally. It helped me understand and... Read More

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    When I first arrived, I was excited to see what the culture was like in Florence. However, there were a few aspects of daily life that took me by surprise. One thing I wish I had known beforehand was the difference in coffee culture between Italy and the United States. In the US, coffee is often consumed quickly and in large to-go cups. However, in Florence, coffee is more of a slow process. Italians take their time to savor their espresso at a bar or standing at the counter. They take a chance to pause, chat with friends, and appreciate the rich flavors of coffee. I wish I had... Read More

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    Exploring the culinary scene of a new city is always an exciting adventure, and studying abroad in Florence, Italy offers an amazing chance to dive into a vibrant food culture. When it comes to the idea that "food is the window to the soul," Florence truly embodies this notion. When you're in Florence, eating out is a big deal. The city is well-known for its trattorias, osterias, and amazing gelaterias that are all over the place. Going out to eat lets you try all the real Tuscan flavors while soaking up the local dishes. You can dig into ribollita and bistecca alla Fiorentina or... Read More

  • On our trip to Pine Ridge, the overarching lesson I learned was that land gives and sustains life. While in South Dakota, I saw that the Lakota have a relationship to land that acknowledges this.
    Growing up, I did not have that experience or relationship to land; land was pretty—mountains, lakes, oceans— but I didn’t understand the feeling that Lakota people have historically had about the land or that we should understand land as a source of sustenance.  The trip really opened my eyes to this.
    But that’s not the only thing the trip showed me. Prior to the class, I had read... Read More

  • During my time on Pine Ridge, I learned about a real meaning of community while developing in spiritual, emotional, and interpersonal ways. While this might just scratch the surface of what I learned in two short weeks, I’d like to unpack these experiences.
    We participated in building a drip irrigation system for a garden, shoveling out a pit for a well, constructing frames for solar panels, repairing a foot bridge, planting trees on a cattle ranch, planting crops for a greenhouse, digging a hole for a new outhouse, debarking and transporting multiple large logs for use in a ceremony... Read More

  • The main reason why I chose my program (IIP Berlin), was because of the location. I have been studying German since middle school, recently completed the minor here at Pitt and this internship location was the perfect opportunity for me to put my German to practical use. During my time in Berlin, I used my German to order food, ask for directions, or check out at the grocery store. The place where I found it a challenge was at work. While my internship was in English, the documents I worked with were all in German. While Pitt does have German business courses, I did not have the... Read More