Emre Akcakanat, Global Business Institute: Florence Spring 2025
During my semester in Florence, I took a weekend trip to Rome and visited the Capitoline Museums. I saw the Dying Gaul in person, and it hit me way harder than I thought it would. You see this statue of a warrior who’s clearly been defeated, but he still has dignity. It’s not just about strength, it’s about vulnerability. I stood there for a long time just looking at it.
That moment kind of sums up how studying abroad has changed me. Before coming here, I was very focused on always doing more, chasing the next internship, planning ahead constantly. But Florence and even that statue in Rome, then taught me the value of slowing down and thinking more about why I’m doing what I’m doing. I’ve been rethinking what kind of career I want, and honestly just how I want to live.
Now I’m more interested in work that has meaning. I still care about being strategic and doing well, but I also want to connect with people, be part of a team that values depth and purpose. I don’t think I would’ve said that a year ago. Studying abroad gave me the space to see that in myself.
Leave a Reply