Ciao! I am very excited to introduce myself! My name is Olivia, and I am a rising junior completing a dual degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh – Greensburg. I am in the Pitt in Florence program through CEACAPA, a company that specializes in educational programs abroad. I will be taking six credits in my six-week time here while connecting with one of the largest summer cohorts yet. CEACAPA has partnerships with a list of universities such as Purdue, University of Colorado – Boulder, and the University of Pittsburgh, leaving this cohort with students from all over the United States, not to mention the other programs already in progress through CAPA. CEACAPA has offices all over the world with a list of programs offered at each one, including concentrated programs in Art or Education.

I decided to study abroad in order to push myself out of my comfort zone. This experience is not only my first time living away from my family, but it is also my first time out of the country! Although it is a huge adjustment, I have the tools necessary to adapt to a new lifestyle through CAPA and the University of Pittsburgh. The courses being offered here are what really drew my interest to studying in Italy. Since one of my focuses is Psychology, I will be studying Cross Cultural Psychology and Exploring and Analyzing the Global City. These courses are curated to offer new perspectives while being immersed in a new culture. I would not be here if it were not for the scholarships I have received because they encouraged me to take the leap into applying for global programs.

Since I grew up in a very small town that is rather sheltered, I am hoping to gain insight into countries other than the United States to be able to better connect with more people. When I graduate, I am hoping to work with law enforcement as a liaison, so a wealth of different and challenging experiences is important to me, as well as being able to connect with people who have different beliefs or social expectations. More importantly though, I will be taking advantage of this study abroad program to truly learn about myself and grow as a person. When I leave here, I hope to have a more in depth understanding of being patient and shifting my focus from comparing my successes with other people’s to celebrating all of my wins alongside celebrating my peers’ achievements.