Reflecting on my three-day class trip to Fayette County as part of the ACRI program, one thing became clear: meaningful service-learning requires immersing yourself in a community and listening to the real stories of its members. Coming into the weekend, my goal was to maintain an open-minded approach while eagerly experiencing the places we had…
Tag: Fall 2026
People-Centered Reflections from Fayette County
On our three day visit to Fayette County, my first ever to this Pennsylvania county, I was extremely delighted to explore and delve into the people, communities, and places of the county. We explored much of Connellsville and parts of Uniontown on our visit, talking with people along the way. Our class stayed at Touchstone…
First site visit to Fayette County
I found the trip to Fayette County to be very rewarding, informative, and beneficial to better understanding the community that we are working with. Coming in with little expectations and previous knowledge (other than the research we had done before) I was able to learn a lot and understand the community more. There were many…
ACRI Introduction
Hi! My name is Andrew Lavin, and I am a fourth-year Media and Professional Communications major with a certificate in Sport Studies and Fundamentals of Business Management. Throughout my time at Pitt, I have been involved in community engagement through Best Buddies at Pitt as well as philanthropic work within my fraternity. These experiences helped…
Weekend in Slovenia
One of the things I have enjoyed most about studying abroad in Milan is how easy it is to travel for a weekend and experience somewhere completely different. This weekend, I traveled to Slovenia, spending most of my time around Ljubljana and Lake Bled. I did not really know what to expect from Slovenia before…
All Roads Lead to Belfast
Hello! My name is Heather. I am a third-year at Pitt, pursuing a dual degree in Accounting and Neuroscience. I am currently in Belfast, Northern Ireland and studying at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) for the Fall 2026 semester. I was initially drawn to QUB because of its top-notch curriculum, especially in business, so I was…
Working for the Weekend
One of the biggest differences I have noticed while living in Milan is how differently people can define professional success. In the United States, success is often closely tied to career progression. Getting promoted, earning a higher salary, taking on more responsibility, or building an impressive résumé are all commonly viewed as signs that someone…
Fall 2026 ACRI Introduction
My name is Luke Clister, and I am an English Writing major completing the fourth year of my undergraduate degree. Pitt is actually the third school I have attended while attaining my degree! Previously, I attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania and PennWest California before finishing my two years here at Pitt. At Pitt, I’m part…
ACRI Introduction!
My name is Lisa-Sophia (Lisa) Kachalova and I am a sophomore majoring in English Writing (non-fiction) and History with a minor in Economics. Something unique about me is that I am from Kentucky, which gives me a new perspective on Appalachia and Appalachian research and community work. For the ACRI Project this semester we are…
Fall 2026 ACRI Introduction
Hello! My name is Gabriella Moose and I am a sophomore at Pitt. I am a Microbiology major with a minor in Anthropology. An interesting fact about me is that I am a small business owner—this past summer my sister and I opened up a food truck that sells acai bowls! I am very excited…