Ciao! My name is Bella Falo, and I’m from Pittsburgh, PA. I’m a rising senior studying Psychology and Sociology with a certificate in Sports Studies in the Frederick Honors College. I just arrived in Florence, Italy, through Pitt’s education abroad program, and I couldn’t be more excited. This opportunity perfectly combines my academic interests—especially in sociocultural learning—and my personal desire to grow through new cultural experiences.

My coursework in cognitive and social psychology, paired with my Sociology background, has shaped my curiosity about how individual differences interact with society to influence how people learn and develop. Sociocultural learning emphasizes that growth happens through participation, lived experience, and engagement with others in real-world contexts.

While I’m eager to learn in the classroom, I’m especially drawn to the hands-on aspects of our program—visiting local schools and exploring Florence’s rich cultural landscape. I hope to absorb not only historical and artistic insights but also the subtle social norms that shape everyday life. Whether it’s through conversations with locals or daily walks through the city, I want to understand how people relate to one another in this new cultural setting. These experiences will help me grow both personally and as a researcher. Back home, I study how individual differences affect our close relationships, and I’m excited to see how these dynamics unfold in a different cultural environment. I hope to bring fresh insights back to my research team and peers.

Professionally, I know this experience will strengthen my ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds—something essential in my future career as a clinical psychologist and academia. Exposure to different worldviews will help me become a more empathetic psychologist, professor, and teammate. I look forward to everything this journey has to offer!