Hello again, it’s Rachael with another check-in from my semester abroad at Queen’s University Belfast. With November about halfway over, we’re really entering crunch time for assignments. This prompts me to reflect on some of the differences I’ve noticed between the school system here and the one back home. While I mostly take science classes…
Tag: Fall 2025
No Guardrails: The German University Experience
When I first came to Munich for my exchange program, I thought that the biggest culture shock in my studies would be the language barrier. I knew that my courses would primarily be in English (which is a lifesaver), but I thought navigating the administrative parts of university would be less than English-friendly. Despite my…
Other Cultures in Paris
American media does not represent Paris well, at least from what I saw on my screen before coming here. Though I have studied French society, and thus I know that Paris is actually very much a melting pot of different cultures from around the world, many of the people in my program, as well as…
Friendly Firenze
I feel like I’m pretty well adjusted to Florence, and I thought that I was getting better at blending in with Italians now that I am halfway through my program. But this week has proven otherwise. Although I know now how to navigate the train station and buy museum tickets like a local, today I…
Touchdown in Connellsville: ACRI First Visit
As a part of the urban studies group, we decided we would spend most of the first visit in Connellsville. Over the course of the weekend, we identified many community assets—first which was the Touchstone Center for Crafts, our lodging for the duration of the trip. Touchstone Center for Crafts is a seasonal craft school…
An October in Europe
Hi everyone, I’m Rachael, and I’m checking in again from my study abroad experience at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB). I’m taking a minute to reflect on October and all I’ve experienced this month. School-wise, I definitely feel like I’ve found my rhythm. Getting used to a new place will always take a little while, but…
Life in Dublin
This week marks about a month and a half into my study abroad semester in Ireland! I have really loved getting to know Dublin and Ireland in general. This past weekend, I visited Cork—another city in Ireland known for its food and its proximity to Blarney Castle and Gardens. I spent about two days exploring…
First Few Weeks at Trinity College Dublin!
This is my third week of classes at Trinity College Dublin! While in Ireland, I am taking 3 classes and working in a part-time hybrid internship at the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland (RSAI). The three classes I am taking are Introduction to Fixed Income Securities and Alternative Investments, International Finance, and Business in…
Hello from Dublin!
Hi everyone! My name is Maddie McCann-Colvard, and I am currently studying at Trinity College Dublin this semester. Back at Pitt, I am majoring in Finance, minoring in Studio Arts, and earning certificates in Leadership & Ethics and Nonprofit Management. I chose this combination of academic interests to reflect my long-term career goal of working…
Discovering Fayette County: Community and Collaboration
Last weekend, the Pitt ACRI Sustainability Team embarked on a trip to Fayette County. While my group mates had visited before, this was my first time in the region. We began our trip at the historic Summit Inn Resort, and later settled into our accommodations at the Touchstone Center for Crafts. That evening, we were…