Hi everyone! My name is Alanna Rivera. I’m a second-year Behavioral Neuroscience major at Florida State University, and I’m from Orlando, Florida. This summer I’ll be interning as a research lab assistant at a psychology lab in Rome, Italy, at an Italian university called La Sapienza. I am interning through IES (Institute for the International Education of Students) and will be attending field trips around Italy, along with completing an internship seminar where I will meet fellow interns.
My community-based interest is exploring work-life balance in Italian culture from a mental health perspective. While interning, I’m looking forward to observing how Italian professional environments compare to American ones, especially when it comes to balancing work and life. I’m expecting to gain new skills in data analysis and research, make new memories, and immerse myself in Italian culture. I’m especially excited to learn more about the history, which is one of my favorite things about Italy. This is an experience I’ve dreamed of for a long time, so I’m incredibly grateful to be making it a reality and plan to make the most of every moment.
I do have some concerns as this is my first time traveling abroad, so I’m a little nervous about that part. I also don’t have much lab experience yet, and I really hope to make a meaningful contribution to Dr. Coco’s research projects and our lab team. Even though I have these concerns in the back of my mind, I know it’s all part of the learning process. I’ll probably make some mistakes along the way, but it wouldn’t really be an opportunity for growth without those moments and learning curves.
All in all, I’m so excited to travel for the first time and be part of this research experience. I cannot wait for what lies ahead in the summer of 2025!
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