Alumni Interview with Jessica Wolff

What inspired you to travel abroad?

I was inspired to spend a semester abroad with CAPA after I did a two-week study abroad program the year prior. I loved getting to know locals and learning about the cultural similarities and differences we share.

The CAPA program was a great opportunity for me to take a deeper dive into this cultural exchange while simultaneously adding a professional component to the experience. I was excited to be able to better myself both professionally and personally in terms of intercultural competence.

Why did you choose CAPA?

I chose the Global Business Institute in Florence with CAPA because it provided me the perfect combination of academics, professional opportunities, and local engagement programs. When looking for a study abroad program, I wanted one that would allow me to get the most out of my experience and I think CAPA did just that!

I was involved in classes, an internship, and extracurriculars including a tutoring/cultural exchange program where I got to know a local Florentine family and share dinner with them every week!

What was your favorite part about your Florence?

My favorite part about Italy was the breathtaking landscapes that it had to offer. I was able to see the northern mountains and lakes, coastal beaches, booming cities, and beautiful rolling hills all within a 2-hour train ride!

I loved how easy and affordable it was to explore the entire country via public transportation so that I could get to see all of the beauty Italy has to offer. Each location had unique customs within the greater Italian culture which was so cool to experience first hand!

What made your experience abroad extraordinary?

The people that I met during my experience abroad made it extraordinary. My coworkers at the Leonardo da Vinci Museum that I interned at became some of my best friends while I was in Florence.

They made the experience even more valuable in terms of both learning and relationship building. Much of the local Florentine culture I learned was from them! Additionally, the local family that I shared a weekly dinner with made the experience even more incredible.

Being able to help the kids in my family grow more comfortable with speaking in English while simultaneously bettering my Italian language skills and learning about their local culture from a child’s perspective was very cool.

How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?

The local CAPA staff were extremely supportive throughout my time with them in Florence. Each time I walked through the CAPA center’s doors, I was greeted by Valentina with a huge smile and comforting small talk.

All of my professors showed genuine interest in my development both academically and personally while I was abroad. I did not personally have any pressing issues during my semester, but I do know that when there was an issue a student had while in Florence, the CAPA staff was always ready to help.

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?

One thing I wish I would have done differently during my time abroad would be to live in a homestay. A number of my friends on the program lived with a local family rather than in a shared apartment.

They all had great experiences and developed long-lasting friendships with their “siblings”. While I did have a good experience in my apartment home, I would have loved to build even more relationships with locals and I think a homestay would have been a great way for me to do that.

Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.

My typical day in Florence started with a stop at a small cafe for a pastry and cappuccino for breakfast on my way to class. After class, I would head to Mercato Centrale to pick up some fresh pasta, meats, and veggies to go home and make lunch.

Then I would typically head to work at the Leonardo da Vinci Museum until they closed at 5:00 p.m. On my way home I usually grabbed a gelato cone and did some sightseeing before dark. I would unwind by cooking a delicious dinner and enjoying a nice bottle of wine with my roommate!

What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?

My favorite thing to do with my free time in Florence was to explore the city. Some days, my roommate and I would set out with no destination and just follow the sunny side of the street to stay warm!

Between this and visiting all of the places my local friends recommended, I spent many days exploring new parts of the city. I visited museums, parks, gardens, neighborhoods and so much more. The best part was, I made sure to stop on every venture out to try a new gelato flavor!

What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?

When I lived in Florence, I lived in a shared apartment with another Pitt student. We didn’t know each other before arriving but we became great friends and even went on to live together when we came back to Pitt!

We shared a one bedroom, one bathroom apartment with a living area, a kitchen, and a washing machine. My favorite part of our apartment was the ability to cook our own meals. Italians have such great access to fresh ingredients that make cooking so much fun. I really enjoyed taking trips to the local markets to buy food to cook for lunch and dinner.

What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?

One thing people should know before traveling to Florence on this program is that the weather in Florence in the winter is cold! If you’re like me, you assume that Italy is tropical and you’ll only need a light jacket.

However, Florence does experience real winter weather. Bring your winter coat and prepare for cold, snowy days. Florentines bundle up with a bunch of layers, so you’ll not only be cold but also stick out as a tourist if you’re not prepared for the weather!

Would you recommend CAPA to others? Why?

I would definitely recommend the CAPA Florence program if you’re looking to study abroad in Italy! CAPA provides such great opportunities for students to get involved in the local culture beyond the classroom setting.

They also have a ton of resources to help acclimate students to the area including restaurant recommendations, suggestions on where to study or meet local Italian students, group trips to museums, markets, and other attractions as well as sights to see from a local’s perspective!

What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?

The biggest benefit of traveling abroad was learning to adapt on my own. Living in Florence was the first time that I was in a new situation truly by myself. It was challenging at first to be comfortable walking around alone in a sea of people speaking a different language but it quickly became exciting to see all the differences around me every day.

I was able to travel to other cities in Italy and other countries in Europe during my time abroad, allowing me to become a very adaptable person by the end of my semester!

Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?

My time abroad has had so many impacts on my life. First, I met some of my best friends during my semester abroad that I am still very close with today! I also have a very different view on cultural differences, even when examining them within my own country. It’s so interesting to break down little cultural habits that I used to think were just normal life.

Finally, my time abroad gave me the opportunity to see tradition and heritage. Many of my family’s ancestors came from Europe so having seen where they come from has given me a new perspective on my older relatives.

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

To me, meaningful travel is travel that allows you to learn by experience and appreciate the culture around you. The best part of traveling is getting to see how other people live their lives and appreciating their lifestyles as well as your own.

To do this, you have to engage with the local culture. This could mean trying the special dishes at a local restaurant, engaging a local resident with a question or conversation starter, or simply taking public transportation rather than a cab.

The most meaningful trips to me have been those that I have had interactions with local residents who have shown me what it truly means to be part of their culture.