One of the most rewarding parts of the Global Leadership Program (GLP) at ISI Florence was seeing students understand how much they had grown—both personally and professionally—while abroad. That moment of realization often happens during the International Experience Career Workshop, held mid-semester exclusively for GLP participants. The Global Leaders of this Spring 2025 semester were: Mariana Agadis (PSU), Mia Cachion (UVA), Charlee Doyle (PSU), Brianna Leslie (UCONN), Samantha Ortiz (PSU), Anthony Provenzano (PSU), Anna Stamatos (UMD), and Joelle Zamperini (UVA).

This isn’t your typical “how to write a resume” session. It’s more of a reflection space. A place where students pause and ask themselves: What have I actually done this semester? What have I learned? How do I talk about this in a way that future employers will understand—and value?

Led by Katie Mathis and Noa Bacchini (ISI Florence staff), the workshop gave GLP students practical tools to turn their international experiences into stories that stand out. Whether they’d been blogging, photographing, leading events, or interviewing local artisans, every project in the program was a stepping stone—and during this workshop, students learned how to connect those stones in a meaningful way for their careers.

“One takeaway I had from the workshop was how to put my experiences with ISI Florence and the GLP on my resume, and how to present myself in interviews using the STAR method,” said Charlee Doyle. “I was struggling at first with how to incorporate GLP into my resume, but now I feel confident I can talk about it and highlight how significant it was to my development this semester.”

For Brianna Leslie, the session was an opportunity to look inward: “The career workshop encouraged me to reflect on my past experiences and how they have shaped me. I learned practical methods to communicate my skillset, strengthened through the participation in the Global Leadership Program, to an interviewer.”

“It made the idea of answering questions in an interview less intimidating,” added Mia Cachion, who appreciated the stress-free, practice-oriented environment.

Joelle Zamperini reflected on how the workshop connected her study abroad experience to future goals: “The workshop was extremely useful in looking at career readiness through a new light. I found the emphasis on soft skills gained through this experience especially useful when answering interview questions. During study abroad we learn to adapt, communicate, and grow in new environments. It is important to be able to communicate these takeaways effectively to potential employers.”

Anna Stamatos agreed, noting that “After the workshop, I feel more prepared to discuss my study abroad experience in professional settings, including how to incorporate it into my resume. I also got a better sense of what I need to work on for interviews.”

Watching the students leave the workshop, it was clear they’d gained more than just resume tips and interview techniques. They had a deeper understanding of how their time in Florence had shaped their future and, maybe for the first time, the confidence to tell that story in a way that really reflected who they are.

The GLP is more than checking boxes. It’s about engagement, reflection, and finding your voice in an international setting. The Career Workshop is where all those experiences start to come together—and where students start to see how to carry them forward.

We can’t wait to see how these future leaders continue to grow beyond Florence!