Author: Sierra Wester | Major: Accounting | Semester: Summer 2024

Mia Holliman and I in front of The Belvedere Palace in Vienna

Hello! My name is Sierra Wester. I am an accounting major at the University of Arkansas. This summer I had the privilege of studying abroad in Italy for a month with the CIMBA program. As I reflect on my time abroad, I can’t help but feel a sense of gratitude and accomplishment. I am academically, personally, and professionally enriched through my time abroad, and I am so excited to share my experiences with you. The CIMBA Italy program is nestled in Paderno del Grappa, a small town just northwest of Venice, which was the first thing that immediately stood out to me about this program. Rather than being in a huge city like Rome or Florence, CIMBA’s small-town atmosphere offered a significant contrast to the hectic pace of bigger cities. I was able to interact with the community on a more personal level as well as discover hidden gems that larger cities often overshadow. This immersion allowed me to develop a deeper appreciation of Italian culture, where I was able to adapt to a slower, more mindful way of life. I learned to value the simplicity of daily routines,
such as enjoying a coffee at a local café or taking in the stunning views of Mount Grappa Before coming to CIMBA, I had very little knowledge of global issues. I was extremely fortunate to learn from the incredible Dr. Molly Rapert in her course The Global Consumer. Dr. Rapert’s understanding of the subject matter was truly unmatched. She fostered a safe
environment for our class to freely discuss these difficult topics, a type of discussion-based environment that I soon found more educational than the traditional slideshow. I left her class feeling extremely educated on real world issues, and I now understand the importance of staying up to date with what is happening outside the United States.
As you could probably guess, I learned many lessons while I was abroad but I’m just going to highlight a few. The first is the act of “going with the flow”, a phrase I have always struggled to apply to my life. I love plans and I hate when plans change, but obviously, things happen sometimes. During my month spent in Italy, I truly realized the importance of going with the flow and fixing my outlook on a situation. For example, on my very first travel weekend in Cinque Terre, my friends and I scheduled a wine tasting and tour of a vineyard. Little did we know, the vineyard was a rather treacherous hike up a very steep and hot mountain. My friends and I were all unprepared, as we were all in long dresses. About mid-way through our hike, we questioned whether or not we should continue. We had no idea how much longer was ahead, and we wondered if the tour was even worth it. We ultimately decided to continue our trek, and thinking about leaving sweet Roberto hanging almost brings tears to my eyes. Once we got to his vineyard, we were greeted with fresh lemon water, which was exactly what we needed, as well as solidifying the act of “going with the flow”. The second lesson I learned was that growth begins where comfort ends. In early February of this year, I sat in my home in Fayetteville, contemplating the idea of studying abroad. About five of my best friends had just decided against it all within the same week, and I found myself considering the same path. Granted, I knew of people who were studying abroad, but they weren’t the people whom I had planned on sharing this experience with. I was left with a pit in my stomach and wondered if studying abroad was going to be more of a hassle than it was worth. Looking back four months later, I couldn’t be prouder of myself for making what I knew was the only right decision: Pursuing the CIMBA Italy program. By pushing myself out of my comfort zone I was able to form relationships that I never would have made otherwise. The people who were once just acquaintances, passing by with a simple “Hey!” have become so much more. They are now family to me. The bonds that I have made are unique and forged through shared experiences that no one else can truly understand. My month abroad was an experience like no other, and I can highly recommend the CIMBA program. I will never forget this amazing experience!