Hi everyone! My name is Bianca and I am currently a freshman in the College of Business Administration. I am undecided in regards to my major, but am in the process of obtaining an Economics minor with Certificates in Global Business and Leadership and Ethics. Outside of academics, I am a member of the Fashion Business Association on campus, Student Alumni Association, and the Omicron chapter of the Delta Zeta sorority. I love staying active in different organizations and activities on campus to keep me busy and motivated throughout my day! Even though I am only a first-year student and have limited professional experience, studying abroad will be an amazing venue for information and real experience for how global business operate.

For some more background information about me, I was born in Puerto Rico, but moved to Northern Virginia (40 minutes from Washington D.C.) in third grade and have lived there ever since. My dad was in the Coast Guard so in that regard we got lucky with limited moves. Besides myself and my parents, I have an older sister (who is my best friend) and an adorable black lab named Rocky. In high school I used to be a cheerleader, but now in my free time, I love shopping, doing DIY’s, hanging out with friends and family, and exploring new things. Outside of the University of Pittsburgh, I am a stylist at Apricot Lane Boutique in Shadyside, a Pittsburgh neighborhood, where I am able to share my love for clothes and fashion.

“So much of who we are is where we have been.”

-William Langewiesche

I believe this quote very accurately describes a person. It has always been a desire of mine to see the world, to learn new perspectives, and to observe different lifestyles. Luckily, this May, I am fortunate enough to be traveling to Italy to study fashion and textiles in a completely different culture! Although the majority of our time will be spent in Milan, we will also visit Florence, Verona, Venice, and Como. An opportunity like this is something I have been looking forward to since I was little as I have never been out of the country (except Puerto Rico but that does not count since it is a U.S. territory). Fashion has always been that one constant interest/hobby in my life and my source of expression since as far back as I can remember. Milan, the fashion capital of the world, is the perfect venue to take this first trip abroad and be able to immerse myself in the one of a kind fashion culture. From the designer labels, to the luxury fabrics, to the high presentation of individuals in everyday life, Italy will be a blossoming point for me. A city, and culture, so fashion conscious is one I have always hoped to witness at some point in my life. Not only fashion wise, but all points of Italian culture will be a new learning experience, from the food, to the architecture, to the art, to their human behavior. Personally, I hope this travel experience is mentally, physically, and emotionally enriching. I am determined to be an A+ tourist while indulging on amazing food, while also being able to experience the culture of such a powerful fashion-centered country and find enjoyment in every second of it. Academically, I hope to develop a better global knowledge of how business supply chains and companies operate in a foreign country to give me a deeper meaning to everyday business terms learned in the classroom. Professionally, I strive to explore my interests in fashion, global business, and supply chain management, to hopefully get closer to finding my (possible) future career path. Regardless, I believe this will be an enlightening, enriching, and memorable experience that I am beyond grateful to participate in. How I’ll be able to pack lightly enough to fit all my clothes into a small suitcase is my only concern for the next few weeks!

ci vediamo presto italia