I’d been home for a week when I met up with two other Pitt students from the FAME group in Pittsburgh. It was summer, so we met in the city rather than on campus. Within about ten minutes, all three of us had said the same thing, none of us prompted by the others: the…
Tag: Study Abroad
One Visa, Eight Countries
It was my first trip out of France, a bus to Belgium, about six hours. I had my papers ready. I assumed we’d pull over somewhere, everyone would get off, and somebody would look at my visa. That’s what a border is. When I take the Greyhound from Montreal to Pittsburgh, in New York, the…
Goodbye for now, Central Europe
I’ll miss a lot about Central Europe. First, the food. I tried food from all around the world and savored every bite. While I certainly enjoyed dishes that originated from the region, the cities of Prague and Krakow were home to diasporas of passionate immigrant communities from abroad. I had the best Italian food of…
Echoes of Florence: Lessons from a Timeless City
Reflecting on my six weeks in Florence, I realize that the city’s most enduring lessons unfolded beyond the classroom. While I strengthened my Italian and deepened my understanding of Renaissance art and architecture, the true growth came from living within a culture both familiar and foreign, and learning to move gracefully through its rhythms. Adaptability…
Small Things That Taught Me Big Lessons in Florence
Living in Florence taught me that the smallest details can hold the biggest lessons. From discovering how Italian pharmacies prioritize beauty and wellness over food, to experiencing the simplicity and efficiency of their train system, I saw a new perspective on daily life. Even something as ordinary as grocery shopping revealed cultural differences—fresh produce at unbeatable prices, unrefrigerated eggs, and shelves filled with fresh pasta instead of frozen meals. These subtle differences opened my eyes to how culture shapes our habits and what we often take for granted back home.
Where the Past Walks Beside You
My first “wow” moment in Italy came on my very first day. My roommates and I were walking to orientation when we passed through an archway into the heart of Florence. Suddenly, the narrow streets opened into a view of breathtaking Renaissance architecture, and I realized I wasn’t just sightseeing — I was walking through…
Finding Home in the Unexpected
When I boarded my flight to Florence, I knew I was heading somewhere beautiful — but I didn’t realize how much it would teach me about myself, or about the kind of doctor, person, and global citizen I want to be. My goal was simple yet daunting: step outside my comfort zone and immerse myself…
Small but Mighty: Arriving in Suriname, the Smallest Country in South America
“Suri-what?” Nine times out of ten, this was the typical reaction I was met with when I told my peers, friends, and family that I’d spend the first three weeks of my summer studying abroad in Suriname—the smallest country in South America. Despite being one of the most ethnically diverse countries in its region, the…
Environmental Sustainability: Spain Edition
It didn’t take me very long after my arrival in Spain to see some of the country’s unique environmental sustainability practices. In fact, it was when I got to my host home and asked the simple question of “where is the trashcan?” did I learn that conservation and waste management in Spain differs greatly from…
Off to Ireland!: A First Step Abroad
*Written just before leaving for Ireland on May 10th, includes pictures from my departure and arrival As the days grow nearer for my trip to Ireland, I feel myself becoming both more excited and more nervous. This will not only be my first trip to Ireland, but my first trip abroad, my first time on…