My name is Patrick Monahan, and I am a junior in the Pitt Business program majoring in accounting and finance. This summer, I will be interning with KPMG in the audit department, and I am extremely excited for this opportunity because I hope to begin my career in auditing, and this is a big step toward that goal. In my free time, I enjoy going to the gym, playing basketball, spending time with friends, and being outdoors, especially hiking and skiing.
I am participating in the Global Business Institute (GBI) in Florence, Italy. I chose this experience because I wanted the opportunity to take business courses that directly relate to my major while studying abroad. So, I am taking international finance, which allows me to still progress in my major while abroad. Learning about international finance while living in Italy has also added a whole new layer to my education, as I am studying global markets while being immersed in a global environment.
Before my freshman year at Pitt, I participated in the Haller Global Honors Fellowship. This was a one month program that spent two weeks on campus and two weeks in Dublin, Ireland. This really sparked my interest in going abroad, and I knew I wanted to spend an entire semester. I looked through the options, and Florence stuck out to me. I had never been to Italy, and I had heard so many good things about the country, people, and of course the food. So, when I saw that Florence also offered the finance course I needed to take, I knew it was the perfect place!
Initially, I knew the shift to a new culture would be a big change, and it was. One new thing in my classes is that they are all much smaller, and participation is much more common. Since I am usually pretty reserved, this was an adjustment. However, it creates a more engaged environment, and I can learn more in my classes.
Throughout this experience, I hope to grow personally, intellectually, and professionally. Personally, I want to become more independent and adaptable. While abroad, I have to figure out transportation, and many more things, all while not speaking the language. Intellectually, I hope to deepen my understanding of international finance and gain a broader perspective on global markets. Professionally, I want to develop skills like communication, adaptability, and cultural awareness, which will be valuable as I pursue a career in auditing.
Overall, Florence is the perfect place to experience Italian culture and take full advantage of both the academic and personal opportunities that come with studying abroad.
