Author: Karson Feuerbacher | Major: Marketing | Semester: Summer 2024
Exploring Mount Blanc in Chamonix, France
My name is Karson Feuerbacher and I am a marketing major with a business analytics minor. I studied abroad this summer (2024) at the CIMBA program in Italy.
It is surreal to think that my month of studying abroad has come to a close. I first learned about CIMBA from a family friend and later heard a presentation about it during my freshman year. Ever since I started school at the University of Arkansas, I knew I wanted nothing more than to go. CIMBA provides a unique study abroad experience unlike many other programs. I lived on a small campus during the week in a small town, but was able to travel on the weekends. This experience has changed my life and broadened my perspective.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have taken The Global Consumer course with Molly Rapert and Global Economics with Eric Olson. Both of these professors have opened my eyes to the world around me. On our last Monday of class, Molly Rapert shared many of her life experiences with us and offered several pieces of advice for the future. One thing she said that really resonated with me was “use this experience in meaningful ways as a means of becoming who you want to be”.
When I applied to the CIMBA program, it felt like a distant idea that wasn’t truly going to become my reality. It honestly did not hit me until I set foot on the CIMBA campus. At first, I was extremely overwhelmed. Trying to do everything, meet everyone, and not take a second for granted. However, I quickly got comfortable in this environment. There is a community at CIMBA unlike anything I have experienced before. The professors want to learn from the students and embrace their perspectives. Students make lifelong friendships with people they did not even know four short weeks ago.
I did not anticipate the impact this was going to have on my personal and professional development. Throughout each week, in The Global Consumer course I read articles about China, a country very unfamiliar to me, and learned about a variety of topics including its economic growth and culture. Almost every class was discussion oriented, which is something I had yet to experience. I could compare my thoughts to those around me and learn something new every single day. In my Global Economics course, I was able to dive into international trade, economic systems in different countries, and countless other topics. From this class I have a better understanding of how economic factors impact decision-making at both the national and international level.
Still, I’m proud to say that I gained just as much knowledge outside of the classroom as I did inside of it. Each travel weekend brought its own challenges. I learned how to navigate travel in different countries, adapt to different social norms, and be okay when things did not go my way. This program has brought me endless unique experiences. It’s not very often you get to say you went white water rafting with your Global Economics class or participated in silent card games during your Global Consumer course, which taught you the importance of understanding cultural differences.
When I reflect on how this experience has shaped me into the person I aspire to be, I realize that, first and foremost, I desired to be someone who embraces opportunities like studying abroad. I wanted to be someone who says yes to experiences that push them beyond their comfort zone. I also strived to be confident enough to contribute to class discussions even when the topics were completely new to me. Moreover, I hoped to be able to navigate stressful situations in places that I had never been.
After completing this program, I will continue to pursue being that person—an individual who is confident, eager, intellectually curious, and outgoing. Nonetheless, I am thankful to acknowledge that CIMBA has pushed me closer to the person I aspire to become.