Author: Lucy Coleman | Major: Exercise Science | Semester: Summer 2024

UP, UP and AWAY!

Studying abroad has been one of the most influential experiences of my life so far. The people, places, and things have influenced my current thinking. I am so thankful and blessed that I had this opportunity to study overseas this summer with the CIMBA program. CIMBA is a study abroad program located in the small Northern Italian village of Paderno del Grappa. The town was beautiful and quaint, with delicious local coffee shops and an always-packed pizzeria. I have always wanted to study abroad. When the global COVID-19 pandemic hit, I had a sudden reality check. For months, I was stuck inside my home. I never had the opportunity to travel or experience opportunities outside my small town. Being confined for so long made me realize how much I want to leave my comfort zone and see the world. When I heard about CIMBA, I was extremely interested. Everyone raved about the institution and all the perks that came with it. I am an Exercise Science major with a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences, and I knew CIMBA primarily catered to business students. I initially worried that this would have a negative impact on my experience, but I can assure you that it had the opposite effect. Being enrolled in both Italy Live and Classical Mythology broadened my intellectual horizons. During our weekly field trips, I learned immensely about the Italian language and culture through Italian scavenger hunts in Bassano, studying the artwork of local museums, and ordering a scoop of ice cream in Asole in Italian. I loved how interactive both my classes were with the surrounding towns of Paderno. As a class, we learned about our subject that morning during our scheduled block time. Then, that afternoon, we hopped on a bus and journeyed to a location to view examples of our earlier subject. This made the program unique to me because it made us truly learn and soak in what we studied in our classes. One piece of advice for future students studying abroad is to soak in every moment. When I first arrived at the campus, I thought the program would last forever and that I would not have to worry about time flying by. By the end of four weeks, I was in tears over how quickly my time in Paderno had gone by, and I was not ready to leave. I wish I had more time to explore and absorb all the knowledge I could about Italy. I advise students interested in studying abroad never to say no and get out of their comfort zones. CIMBA had a variety of students from an abundance of universities, and I met many of them. You will gain so much more from the program if you take a second and get to know your classmates or the students studying overseas with you. By the end, I had gained many new friends from all across the country. I not only grew academically but also gained new friends and new insights. I am deeply thankful for the opportunities this program provided me. It truly was the best summer ever!