Hands in dough, heart in Italy—literally (my pizza turned out heart-shaped!)

Author: Sydney Omo | Major: Supply Chain | Semester: Summer 2025

I had the opportunity to study abroad in Italy for one month this summer through the CIMBA Italy program. I became interested in this program after it was heavily advertised by the honors professors in the Sam Walton College of Business. I was a student of Professor Petrone, and she described the program to all of her students. Instead of being in a big, touristy city like Rome, students would have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Italy’s countryside culture. CIMBA provided students with time during the weekdays to explore the smaller, hidden gems near Paderno Del Grappa, living like locals, as well as ample time on the weekends to travel. This is what sparked my interest in the CIMBA Italy program.

Before I delve into the adventures I went on, I first need to discuss the academic aspects of the program. After all, this is still a college, and students are earning credit hours. However, students are not just sitting at a desk all day; classes take field trips to museums and local businesses that relate to their studies, allowing students to apply what they learn in the classroom to the real world. I took Finance and Mythology as my two classes, creating a perfect balance between learning for my degree and immersing myself in Italian culture and ancient history. In my Mythology class, we always traveled during our afternoon class time. We explored the Antonio Canova Museum, visited multiple villas, and wandered through Padua, which has one of the oldest universities in the world. This experience not only allowed us to learn about Greek and Roman mythology but also gain insight into the history of the surrounding rural area. I felt truly immersed in Italy because of these field trips. My favorite was the Antonio Canova museum, where we visited the artist’s house, which featured plaster sculptures of his work. These sculptures served as prototypes before he began the design on marble. This experience deepened my understanding, and when I traveled to Rome, I was able to appreciate Canova’s marble statues in the Vatican City Museum even more. Having already seen the plaster prototypes, it was breathtaking to see the design in its finished state. I felt I had seen the statue’s journey from start to finish.

This life-changing journey would not have been possible without the numerous scholarship opportunities provided by the University of Arkansas and CIMBA. One such scholarship, offered through CIMBA, was to apply for a Campus Assistant position. I was fortunate enough to be selected as a Campus Assistant (CA) for CIMBA, and I would recommend that anyone considering studying abroad through this program apply to be a CA. There are responsibilities that come with the job, but none that hinder students’ ability to travel and explore. It was one of the most rewarding experiences I had. I was able to build meaningful connections with campus staff and fellow CAs. I also had the opportunity to arrive early on campus and make an additional trip the weekend before classes started. Most importantly, I was able to help ensure students felt comfortable throughout their time in Italy. I connected with many students in this way and formed multiple friendships that often ended with us traveling together on weekends.

One of my most memorable travel weekends was my trip to Verona with a friend I had made the first week because of my CA position. We saw an opera, took pictures at Giusti Garden, and explored Juliet’s Balcony. However, what made this trip so memorable wasn’t the planned stops, it was the unplanned, on a whim events we did together. On the way to the Opera the first night, we ran into a tattoo shop. The next day, we decided to go back and both get tattoos and piercings. This would have been her first tattoo, I was adding to my sleeve, but it just marks one of the best times I had with a friend I will never forget. My advice to students who attend CIMBA is to try things you never thought you would do, and say “si” to everything. One of your most amazing memories might be the things you don’t plan for, and trust me when I say that was hard for me to unlearn. I have a schedule and a list for everything. Back at home, I have three planners, but going out of my comfort zone made this experience ten times better.

I’ve learned a lot about myself throughout this journey. I grew up in Northwest Arkansas, so when I went to the University of Arkansas, I didn’t stray far from home. I have always been very independent, but as the oldest child in a family of six, I stayed close to home to help with my family. However, maybe my family doesn’t depend on me, but I depend on them. Subconsciously, I believe I embarked on this journey to prove to myself that I can navigate life on my own, and I succeeded. Life can be daunting, and challenges will arise, like dealing with train strikes in the middle of Italy. However, I managed to overcome these obstacles, and I am confident that I can do it again.