Like many areas of my life, I balance a delicate paradox. As a naturally introverted person, preferring quiet solitude, somebody who needs to recharge, I occasionally find myself in leadership positions, whether in the form of group projects or sports teams. Leadership styles tend to vary, along with people’s definition of being a leader. Often…
Weekend Ski Trip in Chamonix!
One of the best parts about living in France is how drastically the landscape changes depending on where you go. In Paris, everything feels relatively flat and urban, but just a few hours away, the towering peaks of the French Alps completely transform the scenery. As someone who loves staying active and spending time outdoors,…
My first few days and “Aha” Moment
Booming thunder crashes across the city. Heavy spring rain patters against the red terracotta rooftops. The romantic sounds of Italian bounce off the aging walls, still gorgeous despite weathering the hot Tuscan sun. I am sitting in a library (pictured above), looking more like a luxury villa than a public place of study. il Duomo…
Ciao Firenze, an Introduction
My name and appearance have hints of Italian, however how faint. Italy was always a dream, a place I yearned to visit. I am someone from a small Pennsylvania town, hoping to dip his toe into the cultural force of Europe, somebody without a stamp in his passport. Many reasons come to mind for experiencing…
Bom Dia, Brasil!
Hi everyone! My name is Varun Patel, and I am a third-year student at the University of Pittsburgh studying Computer Engineering and Mathematics, and I will be traveling to Porto Alegre, Brazil this May. Located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre is known for its deep-rooted history and vibrant cultural hub….
Communication Barriers
Living in Italy has made me much more aware of the importance of communication, especially when it comes to greetings and the level of formality. One thing that I initially noticed when I first arrived was how important it was to greet people properly. Every single time you walk into a store, restaurant, or any…
The Beginning of a New Chapter: Florence
Salve! My name is Natalie Carpenter and I am a rising senior studying Mechanical Engineering and pursuing certificates in Sustainability and Engineering Simulation in Design. About 4 years ago I traveled to Italy for vacation and on that trip we visited Florence for a day. Though it was only one day, I dreamed of traveling…
Reminiscing on my Scandinavian Spring Break
Looking back on all of my trips this semester, the highlight was definitely my two week spring break trip to Oslo, Stockholm, and Copenhagen. This journey was with two friends I met in my program, we each had a back pack and one shared carry-on which was packed to the brim. This trip gave me…
Finishing up in Florence
Being in a new country this semester has taught me a lot of valuable lessons, both academically and personally. One of my biggest academic takeaways is how enjoyable it is to take a wide range of classes. As I mentioned in some of my earlier posts, my Renaissance Art History and Oil Painting classes were…
The Moment It Hit Me: Arriving in Belfast
Boarding the flight from London to Belfast, Northern Ireland, marked my first “aha” moment. Up until that point, everything had felt relatively familiar. Traveling from the United States to London, I experienced a sense of comfort and accessibility similar to what I was used to back home, along with the usual hustle and bustle of…