Panther programs are designed by our Global Experiences Office staff along with faculty, composed primarily of Pitt students, and are typically led by someone from Pitt.
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How Food Shaped My Experience
George Abbato, Plus3 Engineering Summer 2025 In general, I love trying new restaurants and new types of food at home. I grew up with my family working and owning a restaurant, so this was a huge part of my upbringing. Naturally, food was something I was very excited to experience in another country, and I…
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Surprises in Spain: Plus3 in Bilbao
George Abbato, Plus3 Engineering Summer 2025 My name is George Abbato, and I am a first-year electrical engineering student in Frederick Honors College. I recently was with the Plus3 Program in Bilbao, Spain with engineering and nursing students. Throughout my time in Bilbao, there were a number of things that were unexpected for me: public…
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The Influence of Food: Food Studies In Sicily
Bella Lirette, Food Studies In Sicily Summer 2025 I participated in the Food Studies in Sicily Summer Abroad program in June 2025, and everything about it was life-changing. It was unlike any other abroad program where the only class requirements are lectures. We had lectures some days, but the curriculum included many field trips that…
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English Food for the Soul
Ayza Sayany, Pitt in London Summer 2025 Food has always been my way of understanding the people around me. I remember the first time I tried a knish at a Jewish deli and immediately connected it to my mother’s samosas. I noticed that roti and tortillas serve similar functions in Pakistani and Mexican cuisine, and…
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Advice for Future Travelers
Anna Lao, Plus3 Argentina Summer 2025 Studying abroad is one of those experiences you can try to prepare for, but nothing really sinks in until you’re there. The best advice I can offer is to go into it with an open mind, a sense of curiosity, and a willingness to embrace the unexpected. First and…
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My Food Adventures: Plus3 Argentina
Anna Lao, Plus3 Argentina Summer 2025 When I think back on my time in Argentina, the first memories that surface aren’t of landmarks or museums, they’re of food. Meals shaped my experience more than anything else, offering both comfort and discovery. In Argentina, food is more than what’s on the plate. It’s a reflection of…
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Navigating a Language Barrier in Argentina
Anna Lao, Plus3 Argentina Summer 2025 During my time abroad in Argentina, one of the biggest challenges I faced was the language barrier. Before leaving, I felt somewhat prepared. I had practiced Spanish through daily Duolingo lessons, proudly collecting little green owl streaks like badges of honor. I figured that with enough practice, I’d be…
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Strangers vs. Neighbors: Experiencing Himalayan Hospitality
Ridhima Ghoshal, Himalayan Health Summer 2025 Having visited India before, I assumed that I knew how the culture works around these parts. However, most of the places I have visited were fast-paced cities and the daily hustle bustle of life compared to the city life in the states like New York. I was pleasantly surprised…
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The Hospital in the Mountains: My View on Healthcare
Ridhima Ghoshal, Himalayan Health Summer 2025 When I decided to study abroad in the Himalayas, I imagined sweeping mountain views, prayer flags fluttering in the wind, and an experience that would feel like stepping into another world. Coming into the program, I already knew that this adventure would shift my perspectives on what I have…
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Mountains, Medicine & Meaning: My Lessons from the Himalayas
Ridhima Ghoshal, Himalayan Health Summer 2025 Hello everyone! My name is Ridhima, and I am a rising sophomore! I am currently majoring in Neuroscience on the pre-med track, along with minors in Business and Chemistry with a Conceptual Foundations of Medicine certificate. A fun fact about me is that my favorite color is orange! As…