Katherine Wistner, Global Business Institute: London Spring 2024
Studying abroad has not necessarily changed my goals, but it has definitely influenced and enhanced my personal and professional goals in various ways. I have always expected positive outcomes from this experience, but I am happy to say that my expectations were far exceeded. Overall, studying abroad has given me a much more well-rounded, global perspective on the world. Previous to this trip, I had never left the US for longer than two weeks; so living abroad for 3.5 months was bound to be a life changing experience. I have always had a desire to travel and understand the world better, but my time studying abroad significantly enhanced that desire and gave it a deeper meaning. Throughout my semester, I came across so many different cultures, people, and experiences that I never would have imagined to be possible. I am so grateful to have done all that and feel much better prepared to continue traveling in the future. Studying abroad truly made my world so much bigger and I just want to keep exploring it!
In regards to my future career, I think my professional goals were more indirectly affected by this experience. While I did not have an internship while abroad, I still engaged with professional settings in my classes and throughout the city. This has given me more confidence to perhaps seek out an international business career in the future. The classes I took abroad helped me understand what that might look like and I am definitely open to it. Previously, I never would have imagined working outside of the US, but now it is something I am much more open to.
Academically, I feel like I am returning to Pitt with so much more knowledge than when I left it. I am excited to apply the new concepts and examples I learned during my classes abroad to the rest of my educational experience. The majority of my peers at Pitt did not participate in this program with me, so I will be bringing a unique perspective to my future courses. Especially since a lot of the courses I took abroad very much align with my majors, I am excited to see how much I can incorporate what I learned. I really feel that studying abroad has already positively affected my life in so many ways and will continue to do so for the rest of my life. I am so grateful for this experience and am so excited to keep incorporating it into my future endeavors.
This is a photo from my last day in London.
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