Author: Ava Neumayer | Major: Accounting | Semester: Summer 2025

Paragliding in Molveno, Italy!

Stepping off the plane into Venice, Italy, for the first time is something that I will never forget. The anticipation, counting down the hours until I stepped onto CIMBA’s campus, the intrigue as to what my overnight hostel experience right outside of the island would be, the immediate realization that jet lag was hitting and I needed a nap – all these overwhelming feelings hit tenfold while journeying across the island, just one day before my CIMBA experience would begin. I tackled those emotions in stride, focusing on what lay ahead and carried that forward until I was loaded on a bus, surrounded by old friends and new, heading toward my home for the next month.

I knew that this experience would be unlike anything I could plan or predetermine.

I had the opportunity to study abroad for four weeks with the CIMBA Program, run through the University of Iowa and located in Paderno del Grappa, Italy. Paderno del Grappa is a quaint, authentic, small Italian town that encapsulates the countryside vibe of Italy. Surrounded by neighboring small towns, I found myself immersed in Italian culture from the get – no escaping it or opting for American alternatives. I spent the first month of my summer exploring all that the Veneto region had to offer. Through CIMBA events, I got to make pizza with Savelio and try the amazing gelato in Asolo. I attended the infamous Bassano by Night, where we were able to explore Bassano del Grappa as the sun set and enjoy a nice dinner after a day of classes.

We were all enrolled in two classes for the duration of study abroad. I was lucky enough to take The Global Consumer with Molly Rapert and a Law and Ethics course with Sarah Dobryzkowski, both Arkansas’s own and my new favorite professors. Through these courses, I learned about the fundamentals of law, how foreign relations and communication are more vital now than ever, and how history shapes present-day events. Apart from class time, CIMBA courses have three-hour afternoon blocks, where I had the privilege of visiting local Italian businesses and gaining firsthand knowledge of foreign marketing and operations. From visiting the family-owned pottery business La Ceramica VBC to the automated, high-technology brewery and coffee roastery to shoe-giant Garsport, I was able to see behind-the-scenes production at all levels. I’m grateful I was able to participate in and be part of a program that’s committed to developing students academically, professionally, and personally.

When I wasn’t in the classroom, I was off in some random corner of Europe. I spent time exploring Florence, Italy, learning how the leather markets and sandwich shops are top tier. We overcame our first train strike and last-minute rebooking, traversed to visit a wine window, and cooled off in a cinema-library-in-one. The next weekend, I managed to coordinate a 24-person private bus and traveled to Pula, Croatia. There, we enjoyed exploring the architectural sights – like the Pula amphitheater – and a boat day out on the beautiful, clear water. On our last weekend trip during the program, I traveled with my friend Eleanor to Madrid, Spain. We were able to maximize our time riding bikes through the heart of Madrid, side by side with the cars as we made our way to El Retiro Park. We spent a full day in Segovia, where we had an ancient aqueduct right outside our window and visited the Iglesia de Segovia. All in all, I couldn’t have asked for better places to spend my weekends! I am so grateful to have had positive experiences throughout, making new friends, tallying up memorable moments, and racking up the souvenirs as I went.

After the program’s bittersweet end, I embarked on a duo journey with my friend Eleanor – taking one last week to hit as many European countries as we could. In our fleeting time left, we went paragliding in Molveno, Italy, biking around Munich, Germany, strolling through the canals of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and finding the best waffle place in Brussels, Belgium. And though we faced a canceled overnight train (thank you, second train strike) and missed our Flixbus, I have learned that redirection can be positive. Even within the scariest, most stressful moments, I found some good to hold onto. Sometimes, that is all we can ask for.

Study abroad has been the ultimate reminder of what opportunity looks like. The world has felt, quite literally, within my grasp. With the freedom to travel nearly anywhere, my ambition and curiosity took the lead when deciding where to go. Over the past month, I visited small towns, connected with industry professionals, explored vibrant cities, and made new friends from various universities.  I had to navigate not one, but two train strikes that completely altered travel plans. I lost out on money, lost out on time in the Netherlands, and had enough stress for a year in the moment. I have seen that the opportunities for connection are always around, I just have to be willing to step a little out of my comfort zone to reach them. I plan to carry this mindset with me back to the University of Arkansas. Maybe I will join a new club, introduce myself to someone in class, or network more intentionally within Walton College. Whatever it looks like, I now have the confidence to put myself out there and see what doors open. And, above all, I have learned that letting go of set expectations and just living is so much better than planning every minute of life.

I owe that mindset, and an abundance of memories, to one unforgettable summer.

Grazie, Italia!