Rowen Jensen

As my final week in Italy begins, I have done a lot of reflecting on this once-in-a-lifetime experience and realize that I am bringing home so much more than photos and souvenirs. This semester has been full of lessons, challenges, unforgettable moments, and more personal growth than I ever expected. When I boarded the plane in August, I had no idea where this journey would take me. The semester went by faster than I could have imagined, but each day offered a new experience that shaped my time abroad. Now, as I look back, these are the biggest takeaways and lessons I have learned this semester.

This past week, we had our 10-day travel week, a much-needed pause from classes and the perfect chance to explore more of Italy. While studying at CIMBA, it’s easy to get caught up planning trips to other countries in Europe, but I’ve found that this longer break is the best opportunity to really experience the beautiful country we’re living in.

Ciao! One of the best parts about studying abroad, especially in the dorm like style of CIMBA, is the opportunity for your whole cohort to explore a new city together. A few weekends ago, a large portion of our cohort, 19 out of 23, got to explore Barcelona together. A lot of memories were made, and the experiences throughout the weekend made us a lot closer.

One of the main reasons I chose CIMBA was its proximity to the Dolomites, a part of Italy I had always dreamed of exploring. Six of us wanted a peaceful weekend getaway, and our professor recommended Molveno, a small town nestled in the Dolomites about two hours from campus.

I find myself in a unique position as I wrap up my college experience with CIMBA in Italy. With graduation set in December, this study abroad experience feels like both a final farewell to college as well as my long-awaited chance to study overseas. I always had a desire to study abroad these past 3 years but got very comfortable with my experience at the University of Arkansas and found myself putting it off.

Fall CIMBA student Rowen settles in to live in Paderno and learns travel lessons in her first two weeks.