Her Campus at Pitt is back for the Fall 2026 semester! While our writers can’t wait to get back into the flow, we’re still reminiscing about this summer. Here are the highlights:
- – Where We Called Home
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Some of us, including me, went back to our hometowns this summer. While I lived in New York and others were in Philadelphia, many stayed in Pittsburgh. From festivals like Picklesburgh to summer farmers’ markets, this city definitely has it going on.
Julia Kahn, President of Her Campus at Pitt, said, “I got to explore Pittsburgh on a new level beyond just going to college here.” She also said that “Pittsburgh summer” is underrated.
- How We Kept Busy
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It doesn’t surprise me that this group is full of hard workers. Ava Smith and Marina Kontos, our social media power duo, both worked part-time at Big Dog Coffee in addition to their internships. When they weren’t making coffee, Ava did digital marketing for The Education Partnership, and Marina worked with the ads team at POWER Marketing Company.
Senior editor Emma Schramm worked as a gallery associate at the Carnegie Museum of Art and completed a marketing and communications internship with Eberle Studios. Renee Arlotti, a section editor, did research and worked at a hospital.
- Our Favorite Media
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Of course, no one could let the summer pass by without a good movie, TV show, or book. Personally, I couldn’t get over how good The Odyssey was, and now I may have to watch every movie Christopher Nolan has ever directed. Others went for Curry Barker’s directorial debut feature film, Obsession.
When it comes to television, we watched a lot: New Girl, Vanderpump Rules, Love Island USA, Every Year After, Succession, Hacks, RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, and Big Brother, to name a few.
Marina finally knocked The Alchemist off her reading list and highly recommends it!
- Hobbies and More
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It can be hard to find free time even during the summer, but our team managed. Lots of our members got into arts and crafts, including painting, crocheting, and sewing. Health and fitness was also a big focus, with meal prepping, rock climbing, and paddleboarding in the mix.
While lots of gamers out there are still counting down to the release of Grand Theft Auto VI, some of us were content with familiar cozy games. Ava went for Minecraft (classic), and I got into a game called Garden Life.
A few of our writers got to travel – Renee studied abroad in Belfast for two weeks, and Ava went to Bethany Beach and Key West. (I forgot to go to the beach this summer. Does anyone want to take a day trip?)
From vacations to internships to time spent with family and friends, this summer was filled with positive experiences. I’m very grateful for mine.