Hi everyone! My name is Natasha Montesdeoca, and I am currently a junior at the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in Marketing and Supply Chain Management. At Pitt, I am the Business Manager for the Pitt Dance Ensemble, and I am also a member of Ballet Club at Pitt, Fashion Business Association, and the Chi Omega sorority. Being involved in these wonderful organizations has allowed me to form so many great friendships and connections, that I questioned whether I would’ve been able to leave it all for a full semester abroad.

However, I can confidently say that I did, and I could not be more grateful. I love to travel and I have always wanted to visit Italy, so what better way to explore than to live in Florence for four months! 

I am studying abroad alongside my close friends that also happen to be Pitt Business students. There are twelve of us in our apartment, and we are located about a ten minute walk from the Duomo, and twenty minutes from our school building. Our educational program is run by CEA CAPA, and we all take a mix of classes that emphasize cultural exploration, art, and history. Therefore, the courses I am taking this semester are much different than what they would be at Pitt! In addition to International Marketing, I am taking Urban Studies, Foundations of Oil Painting, and an Italian language course! The Italian course, in particular, has already proven to be extremely helpful in my day-to-day life. The classes here are much smaller, with less than twenty students per class. This has allowed me to build closer relationships with both my professors and classmates.

So far, I love everything about the city! Although my routine is very different, I have found it easy to adjust with the help of my program and community. Florence has so much to offer, and walking everywhere has encouraged me to explore as much as I can and make the most of each day. My favorite part is wandering around in between classes and choosing which restaurant or cafè to try next. There are so many shops and places to go that each day feels more exciting than the last.

As I continue my time abroad, my main goal is growth. I wish to grow academically, professionally, and personally. I am practicing Italian every day, stepping outside of my comfort zone, and making meaningful connections with locals. 

I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to call Florence home this semester, and am so excited to see how much I continue to learn and grow throughout this experience!