Pizza Making Class

Author: Jessie Weber | Major: International Business | Semester: Fall 2022

For the last 3 months, I have been living in northern Italy as part of my study abroad experience. I chose the CIMBA undergraduate program because it is so different from the other study abroad programs in Italy that I’ve seen. Many of the other programs take place in big cities, like Rome and Florence, whereas CIMBA is based in a small village that even most Italians have never heard of. This makes it a great intimate academic experience, where you are a name, not just a number. It was amazing to have a relationship with each professor and with all the other students in the program. All the classes I took felt very connected to each other and what I was experiencing during my travels. It was especially interesting to have professors from different parts of the world to teach each class. They each brought their own experiences and ideas and always made me excited to go to class.

There were numerous opportunities for learning more about Italian culture and business, including company tours, expat panels, and even having dinner with a local Italian family. This was such a valuable and unique experience that taught me a lot about what the work culture is like in Italy and what it can look like to be an American working in a foreign country. I feel like I really began to see examples of what my future could look like as an International Business major. Everyone was very helpful and supportive. It was nice to not only have options that benefited my personal interests but my professional ones as well. The company tours were especially fascinating because we would prepare the week before in each of our classes leading up to the tour. This way, we would be able to consider various aspects of the business and discuss them in class the following week.

I was lucky enough to receive the Libby Finch scholarship, which is a specific scholarship for funding cultural experiences. This allowed me to participate in a variety of experiences, my favorite being able to admire the beautiful art in Florence! As a foodie myself, Italy has been a dream. It is very hard to find a bad meal, which is something I really began to appreciate when I started traveling outside the country. Even the food served in the cafeteria exceeded my expectations. Since the food varies so much from region to region, there is always a new and exciting dish to try.

My main piece of advice I’d give future travelers is to not be scared to explore, even if it means going off on your own. This was the first experience I’ve had where I’ve traveled solo and I gained a lot of experience and confidence that will make me a better traveler in the future. Be open to change and challenge yourself. Seeking opportunities that make you uncomfortable is so important for growth. Also apply for as much funding as possible. The university and other organizations offer great scholarships for students studying abroad, like the Study Abroad Grant and the Gilman Scholar Award.