Author: Hailey Bryant | Major: Accounting and Marketing | Semester: Summer 2024
Rafting with Eric
My name is Hailey Bryant and I am an upcoming Junior at the Walton College of Business pursuing degrees in Accounting and Marketing. I just got home after studying abroad through the Cimba Program in Italy for the past month! Sitting down and trying to encapsulate all of the lessons, memories, and fun from my experience abroad into one post feels impossible! I have wanted to study in Italy since I was in about fifth grade, even though back then I thought I would be attending OU (thank goodness I changed my mind about one of these things). The Cimba Program was recommended to me by some friends who had gone the previous year. It stood out to me because of how highly regarded the professors and classes are and because of the length of the semester. It was short enough that I didn’t get homesick and just long enough to visit all the places I had always wanted to see like Rome, Florence, Venice, and Croatia! Besides traveling and sightseeing, the classes at Cimba taught me more than I could’ve imagined. I had the privilege of taking Dr. Molly Rapert’s Global Consumer course, and I cannot speak highly enough about it! She did an amazing job of bringing in current topics from around the world and cultivating an environment where everyone in the class felt comfortable speaking on each topic. We talked about issues that will most definitely affect our foreseeable future, but we don’t see them on the news. I have not stopped talking to my parents about all the information I learned in this class, I bet they’re a little bit tired of hearing about the Chinese consumer and economy. This course was beyond insightful, and I would recommend it to anyone. The second course I took was Global Economics and Business with Dr. Eric Olsen. I have loved economics since taking Micro with Dr. Stapp, so I took this class just as a fun elective. Now that I am home, I am considering changing one of my majors! Looking at economies outside of America and the past and the future of our world standing was so fascinating. Dr. Olson walked us through many important discussions and engaged the class with his fun personality. It’s not every day you get to say that you go whitewater rafting with your professor!
This experience has taught me a multitude of life lessons, but the overall takeaway for me has been gratitude. Not only for studying abroad but even for life at the University of Arkansas. I am incredibly grateful to be able to attend the U of A. I know that everyone does not get this opportunity. Likewise, studying abroad is something I was incredibly lucky to experience. This opportunity could not have been possible without the amazing staff at the University who helped me fit this into my schedule, my friends who encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone, and my amazing parents who have been my support system since day one. I am truly, beyond blessed! If you take away anything from my reflection, it should be to just say “yes”! If you’re considering attending Cimba, or any study abroad program, go all in! You will never regret making lifelong memories.