Visiting Park Guell in Barcelona, Spain!
Author: Anna Abston | Majors: Political Science, Business Economics | Semester: Summer 2025
Freshly back to the United States after studying abroad, I could not be more thankful for the ability to have spent five weeks overseas this past summer. Studying abroad was always a venture that I knew I wanted to pursue when I came to the University of Arkansas, although I was not sure how it would align with my majors. When I heard about the CIMBA program, I knew I had to apply. I’d always wanted to visit Italy, the classes aligned well with my majors, and the unique location of the CIMBA campus (in Northern Italy, just at the base of the Dolomite Mountains) provided ample opportunities for weekend excursions. Little did I know just how much this small campus would have to offer!
What the campus lacked in air conditioning, it made up for with breathtaking views. Even after four weeks, I never got used to the fact that I could look out the window in class and see the Dolomites as the breeze billowed through, keeping us cool. I took two classes while abroad: Global Economics and The Global Consumer, contributing six hours towards my Economics major. In both classes, we discussed international relations and global policy, and I was challenged to rethink how I interpret global dynamics. I truly did get to experience the world on a larger scale and push the limits of my reality as an American student, looking at the world beyond just an American perspective.
While in Italy, I was able to travel to many neighboring cities that were just a train ride or a flight away. Despite having to navigate an Italian train strike on our first travel weekend, we successfully made it to Florence. The history, food, and local art make Florence a must-visit for any students traveling abroad. A personal highlight for me was getting to visit the Rose Garden, which offered picturesque views of the city! On our second travel weekend, my friends and I decided to visit Pula, Croatia, in search of a relaxing coastal experience. Though Pula was smaller than we expected, we still had a blast, and thus is the nature of study abroad! Even though I did not make it to Rome, one of Pula’s main attractions is its Roman amphitheater, so I sort of got to check that one off the bucket list! On our last weekend, my friends and I decided that we wanted to visit both Vienna and Prague, so we made it happen! Though it was a jam-packed weekend, it was completely worth it.
Although I’ve often heard the phrase “there’s no harm in trying,” studying abroad gave that idea new meaning. Whether it was navigating language barriers, asking to help make pizzas at a local restaurant (the owner graciously said yes), or paragliding off a 6,000-foot mountain, I found myself more willing to take initiative and embrace the unknown. I found myself saying much more this trip, “I’ll just try and see what happens,” rather than constantly counting myself out of new experiences in fear of rejection. As I return to the U.S., I plan to apply this same mindset to new relationships, professional opportunities, and experiences, leaning into discomfort as a space for growth.
It sounds cliche, but my advice for students deciding whether or not to study abroad is to just do it! Even though CIMBA was technically a business program, there were nursing, education, STEM, and many other majors represented. No matter what you want to do, you can find a study abroad program that will fit your interests. Studying abroad gives you a new sense of independence, and the opportunities are limitless!