Before this program, I never really questioned how I defined success. Growing up in the United States, success often seemed tied to education, occupation, financial stability, and social status. As I spent more time in India and listened to the experiences of the people around me, I found myself reflecting on whether those were the…
Outside the NATO Bubble: Ghent
Brussels sits at the center of something significant. Within a few hours in any direction you have Strasbourg, home to the European Parliament, Rotterdam, one of the largest ports in the world, The Hague, where international law is adjudicated, and Cologne, a major hub of European economic life. This is not a coincidence. The entire…
Memoirs from a European Bureaucrat
Europe operates differently than the US in ways that are not immediately obvious until you are actually here. The legislative process within the EU is layered in a way that would frustrate most Americans. Bills and directives do not just pass through a chamber and get signed. They get reviewed, scrutinized, sent back, amended, and…
Brussels: A Political Capital for Europe
I’m Andrew Romanchik, a Politics and Philosophy student with my sights set on law. So when Pitt’s Governance and Policy in Brussels program came across my radar, it was a straightforward decision. Getting inside exposure to how the EU and NATO actually operate is the kind of experience that translates directly into a legal career,…
Reflections from the Mediterranean
Favorites from Athens My trip to Athens was filled with fun activities, interesting company visits, and beautiful sights; I could never choose a favorite experience! When you think about Athens, the first thing you probably think of is the Acropolis and Parthenon. The Acropolis is absolutely beautiful, even more stunning with a clear blue sky….
Greece: Ancient Connections to a Modern Society
Although I had been learning about Greek culture and history for almost a week, my weekend in Athens, Greece, transformed my perspective on the connection between history and the present, specifically in Greece, where history has been documented through so many eras. Throughout the first week, my group’s tour guide, Dimitri, taught us all about…
Yassas, Greece!
Hello, my name is Kate Henchir, and I am a freshman in the Swanson School of Engineering, majoring in chemical engineering. Earlier this summer, as a part of the Plus3 Engineering program, I visited Athens, Greece. Outside of the classroom, I am involved in Ballet Club, Ballroom Dance Club, and SWE, and am generally a…
Ezra Made it to Costa Rica!
Hi there! My name is Ezra Moon, and I’m a rising sophomore studying Ecology & Evolution in Dietrich. I’ve always wanted to be an ecological researcher in Latin America, which is why I chose the Center for Latin American Studies Seminar & Field Trip program. This year the program is in Costa Rica, the perfect…
Comparative Healthcare in Graz: A Final Reflection
The four weeks I spent abroad for the Comparative Healthcare in Graz program felt like a whirlwind of activities and events. After returning to the states and fighting some jetlag, I have had time to reflect on my month in Europe and all that it taught me, both inside and outside of the classroom. Overall,…
Goodbye for now, Central Europe
I’ll miss a lot about Central Europe. First, the food. I tried food from all around the world and savored every bite. While I certainly enjoyed dishes that originated from the region, the cities of Prague and Krakow were home to diasporas of passionate immigrant communities from abroad. I had the best Italian food of…