A Saturday night in Positano!
Author: Emily Kelly | Majors: Marketing, Management, Supply Chain | Semester: Summer 2023
My name is Emily Kelly. I am a student of the Walton College of Business, and within this past summer of July 2023, I had the incredible opportunity to study marketing abroad at the U of A Rome Center in Rome, Italy. As a business student majoring in Marketing, Management, and Supply Chain Management, my three majors require a strong equipment of skills and knowledge regarding a deeper understanding of global dynamics, markets, and cultural awareness. My experience in Rome and at the Rome Center truly taught me valuable and transferable skills as a student, person, and future employable worker that I am eager to convey to internships and jobs. Throughout my time working to improve the marketing of the businesses of Rione Ponte, also known as Roma Faber, I was able to experience in a hands-on manner the complexities of a global market and consumer behavior, which is vital in the world of business. While having the chance to interact with many diverse backgrounds and customs, I learned how to adapt my behavior and communication style in accordance with the cultural differences between myself as an American student and the business owners of Roma Faber. My experiences in Rome have prepared me for situations in the business world, where quick-witted situations and flexible thinking must be made when experiencing challenging situations.
When navigating through the city of Rome, learning to be adaptable and flexible throughout a variety of unfamiliar situations impacted me heavily. From overcoming language barriers to encountering everyday challenges without my familiar safety net of friends and family at home, I learned to become more independent in my thinking and decision making, as well as push myself out of my comfort zone. Even on a day-to-day basis, mundane situations such as public transportation or grocery shopping required quick thinking and flexibility when facing unpredictable situations. When walking down the streets of the city, I could always detect the varying scents of each restaurant’s food, whether it be freshly baked bread, steaming hot pasta or pizza, or the rich fragrance of a cappuccino, usually paired with a crispy croissant. Although the cuisine of Italy held a predominant impression on my time there, I often at times found it hard to compare to the beauty of the city’s mesmerizing sights. Seeing the jaw-dropping architecture of buildings such as Castel Sant’Angelo or the iconic Vatican city was an opportunity I was able to relive every morning when commuting to class from my apartment. In addition to my experiences in Rome, I was also blessed to have the opportunity to travel to areas outside of Rome, such as the Amalfi Coast and Dubrovnik, Croatia. These two locations were two of the most beautiful places I have ever been, and I had the ability to enjoy two other extraordinary cultures, as well as out of this world food, music, scenery, experience.
I could not recommend this program enough to students who are seeking a one-of-a-kind educational experience. The Rome Center and the amazing professors I had, Heather Sprandel and Molly Jensen, gave me an incredible experience and the opportunity to broaden my horizons and strengths as a business student. Italy is a beautiful place with a wonderful culture and people, and when reflecting on the expansion of expertise that the cultural diversity of Rome gifted me throughout my time here, I emerged from this trip with a broadened horizon of perspective, empathy, understanding, and confidence. I will always be forever grateful for my time in Rome!