Pitt Global Experiences

Hunter Fanella, SRAS: Georgia Summer 2025

Before my 8-week trip in Tbilisi, Georgia, I had never been outside of the United States. The furthest I had lived from my hometown was simply an hour away in Pittsburgh. Although I had acclimated to living with roommates, without my parents, and in a new city, living in a new country would be a new experience completely. I had watched every tiktok and youtube video and asked all of my friends for advice about living abroad. After taking in all of this advice, after 8 weeks, I now think that I overprepared myself. Eastern Europe varies greatly from Western Pennsylvania, but the bottom line is that you simply must observe and adapt to a different culture. In my experience in Georgia, I learned that establishing a routine is the key to a successful and joyful time abroad. Finding a new routine is not the same for everyone, but I established some tips for other students who plan on living abroad for a long period of time.

1. Have an activity planned for your health everyday. This tip may sound simple, but having a consistent event or activity each day can allow your brain and body to feel healthy and efficient. For example, at around 6:30pm each day, I would either go to the gym or for a run. Knowing that I had an hour and a half for myself and away from my phone made myself feel healthy and stress free.
2. Mimic some areas of your life from home. In Pittsburgh, I was consistent with my morning and night routine. In the morning, I would follow a typical getting ready routine, eat breakfast, and get a coffee from a coffee shop. At night, I would workout, shower, eat, and follow a strict night routine. In Georgia, I mimicked this. I would recreate my routine, just in a different setting. This allowed me to feel comfortable even when I felt uncomfortable.
3. Become a regular at a restaurant or cafe. Every morning, on my way to the metro, I stopped by a coffee shop called “Qooqy”, everyday. The workers even knew my name and order. On some of my hardest days, I would go to this shop, knowing that I had somewhere where I was recognizable even in a big city.
4. Have one immersive cultural activity per week. Even though I am adamant about having a routine, it is important to have a cultural and spontaneous activity during the week. This ensures that you truly live a good life while abroad, without regrets. It’s also something to look forward to each week, ensuring that each week has something fun planned. In Georgia, each weekend we would have an excursion. One weekend, my friend and I went to the Black Sea, another weekend, my classmates and I went hiking in the mountain ranges. I will remember these trips for the rest of my life, and I won’t look back with any regrets.
5. Plan phone calls with friends and family. Homesick is a natural feeling, but relationships with friends and family don’t necessarily need to change while you’re abroad. If you have consistent phone calls with the people you love, it ensures that you are updated with each other’s lives and that you can talk to someone about your stressors. Each day, I made sure I had an hour talk with either my parents, siblings, boyfriend, or friends.

As I reflect on my time abroad, I can thankfully say that I lived it to the fullest, and the trip exceeded my expectations. Although I had moments where I missed my life in Pittsburgh, I was able to quickly recover because of the routine I established. My routine and maintenance of my health made sure that I didn’t feel lost or isolated while away from comfort. In the end, our life and growth doesn’t stop while we travel, rather, it grows exponentially.