Despite having visited the country prior to my study abroad experience, there were still many things that surprised me about my global adventure. The weeks leading up to my departure, I was very anxious as I would be traveling alone for the first time without any friends or people that I knew of. I did not meet many people during any of the orientation days, which in hindsight would have definitely eased my nerves a little. However, a few of the girls from my program made a group chat through GroupMe. This was smart because it allowed us to communicate before the trip and get out... Read More
Pitt Global Experiences Students' Blog
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As a rising senior in the Pitt Nursing program planning on a minor in Spanish language, my academic and career goals (I thought) were pretty set in stone. However, after my experience abroad, these goals have changed ever so slightly. Upon nearing the end of my study abroad experience, I got pretty sick and decided to use my resources and visit the local hospital to see if they could give me anything to relieve my symptoms. I get sinus infections pretty often so this was nothing out of the ordinary, however, explaining my past history with this issue and the symptoms I was currently... Read More
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The main reason why I chose my program (IIP Berlin), was because of the location. I have been studying German since middle school, recently completed the minor here at Pitt and this internship location was the perfect opportunity for me to put my German to practical use. During my time in Berlin, I used my German to order food, ask for directions, or check out at the grocery store. The place where I found it a challenge was at work. While my internship was in English, the documents I worked with were all in German. While Pitt does have German business courses, I did not have the... Read More
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My day typically starts around 7:30 when I first wake up. Most of the time, I have to be at work at 9:30, so I take a regional train that leaves at 8:59. After getting ready and eating breakfast, I leave around 8:30 to make it in time for my train. When taking the regional train, my commute to work is quick, only 15 minutes. If I take the S-Bahn, it takes about double that. I then get off at my stop, walk through the University of Potsdam Griebnitzsee Campus, and arrive at my host company. My typical work day can end as early as 3 or as late as 6:30. It all really depends on the amount of... Read More
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Since my first year here at Pitt, I knew that I wanted to study abroad, preferably in Germany. I wanted to do this because I had considered living and working in Germany after graduating from college and perhaps even going to graduate school here. Because of these professional and personal goals, I continued studying German at Pitt and even researched companies in Germany that I could possibly work at in the future. When I arrived at Pitt my freshmen year, my advisor told me about the International Internship Program and one of the locations was Berlin. It was a program where I got to live... Read More
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Every morning was new and exciting during my time in Sydney. Especially during
the weekend, I never knew what I would do and where I was going next!
However there were a few routine places I would go to, for food and classes.
First every morning I would wake up, get ready for classes, and talk to my family.
In Australia the time zone is very different from back home - Sydney is 14 hours
ahead of where my family lives in New England! I would often be having
breakfast while they were having dinner; or be going to class when they were
sound... Read More -
In Dublin, we did not have the opportunity to stay in the campus dorms like international students in previous years had. Our group stayed in a hotel this year, each of us sharing rooms with one other student. The students that we were placed with were other students from the University of Pittsburgh, not from other colleges on the trip. This group was primarily made up of mostly rising junior nursing students, and seeing as I am a rising senior, I was unfamiliar with most of them before this trip began. When we were paired up in random pairs for housing, I was admittedly a little nervous... Read More
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Ciao! It has been six weeks since the beginning of my program “Pitt in Florence” and it has been the experience of a lifetime. This program offers six weeks, two 3-credit courses, and consists of 120 undergraduate students from around the United States. Six weeks ago, I moved to Florence, Italy without knowing anyone in the program, in the city of Florence, or honestly what to expect from this experience itself. While this experience has been overall one-of-a-kind, there were obstacles I had to overcome throughout my six weeks. Along the way, I had many ups and many downs, downs that... Read More
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First of all, make sure to pack lightly! You will definitely want to bring home
souvenirs. On your first day in your study abroad program, you will definitely feel
jetlagged and tired - try not to relax or sleep until the local evening time. You want
to remain as active as possible, to decrease the effects of jet lag and to make the
most of your trip meeting new people, exploring a new city or country, and trying
new cuisines and learning about a new culture. Even if you are on a low budget,
try to go on as many excursions as possible! Some study... Read More -
The locals played a large part in my positive trip experience in Ireland. The culture of the Irish people is notably friendly. Almost all of the people I met in any area were extremely kind and welcoming towards us. Many of them would first point out to us that they could tell we were Americans before we even spoke to them. They would further go on to explain that it was a combination of the way we dressed and the way that we looked just before ordering food or asking a question. None hesitated to approach in any setting to ask how we were getting along in Dublin or if we needed any... Read More