Campus Life & Academics

I’m writing this from my home base in Bentonville, Arkansas, savoring a few luxuries I’ll never again take for granted after four weeks abroad—namely, air conditioning, ice, and Diet Coke. But with that, it's definitely a tradeoff. I can’t help but miss my pistachio gelato from Pasticceria San Gaetano Da Mariano, my daily cappuccinos, and being just a walk away from authentic Italian pizza.

Growing up, we were fortunate enough to travel far and wide as a family, and this included going to Italy once when I was pretty little. I remember bits and pieces from this trip, some of the highlights including seeing the Colosseum at night and getting car sick on the way to Pisa. From a young age, I developed a need to travel and experience the world. My mom had the same need and always told me her biggest regret in college was never studying abroad.

Wow, time flies when you’re having fun, or when you just got back from four weeks in Italy. It really is hard to believe I got back to the United States two weeks ago. While I was craving ice water and chips and queso when I was in Paderno del Grappa (or ‘The Grap’ as my friends and I called it, and continue to call it), I find myself daydreaming about brie and bread for lunch and the cappuccinos from the hotel across the street (keep reading for more information on that). There could never be enough space in a Word doc for me to chronicle my experience, although I wish I could have it written down so I could keep reading it forever. I look back on my time at CIMBA with a full heart, thankful for the people, memories, and homework it gave me.

Before embarking on the CIMBA program, I thought I had a solid grasp on what it meant to travel, to learn, and to grow. I had taken classes, visited a few new places, and imagined what studying abroad might be like. But nothing could have prepared me for how transformative this summer in Paderno del Grappa would be. CIMBA didn’t just give me a change of scenery, it shifted the way I view the world, education, and my own path in life.

As I sit down to reflect on the past five weeks I spent in Italy, I’m flooded with a mix of emotions. Gratitude, nostalgia, pride, and wonder. What started as an exciting adventure quickly turned into one of the most transformative experiences of my life. From the cobblestone streets of Rome to the colorful seaside of Cinque Terre, each day was packed with discovery, learning, and personal growth.

Studying at CIMBA in the summer is definitely busy, but it’s also packed with exciting activities and unforgettable trips! Today, follow along with me as I take you through a day in the life of this incredible experience.

It’s hard to believe a whole week has flown by—I’m only just beginning to find my footing. So far, studying abroad has been a whirlwind of learning, adapting, and excitement. From settling into my dorm to navigating new classes and attempting weekend travel, I’ve had to remind myself that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Despite counting down the days to CIMBA, nothing could’ve fully prepared me for the 180-degree shift of entering a new country. I’m starting to discover the delicate balance between work and play—and how crucial it will be for making the most of the next four weeks.

After just one week at CIMBA Italy, I can already tell this is going to be way more than just a typical study abroad program. It honestly feels like I’ve been here longer than a week, not because the days are dragging, but because so much has happened in such a short time. The vibe reminds me a bit of summer camp, in the best way possible. Everyone here is from all over the U.S., and we’ve all been tossed into this unfamiliar space together. That shared experience of not knowing what’s going on half the time makes it super easy to connect with people. It’s been nice to see how quickly friendships have formed just from all of us trying to figure things out together.

One of the most unexpected favorites of studying abroad at CIMBA has been the academic experience. Coming into the program, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from the classroom side of things, but I’ve honestly loved every part of it.

We’re already on week ten of the semester, and it feels like my time at CIMBA is flying by. Between traveling on the weekends, attending classes, and participating in CIMBA’s activities during the week, it’s easy to stay busy. Before coming here, I didn’t fully realize how many activities CIMBA organizes for students, but I’ve been enjoying it. Below, I’ll share a bit of what to expect throughout the semester.

The semester honestly felt like a dream. Part of me feels like I never left home, and the other part says that the semester could not end soon enough. I really struggled the entire first five days, but it was consistently better for me after that. I never felt low again to the extreme I did on days three and four, only a bit of homesickness.

Now that CIMBA has come to an end, I am left with reflections on my overall experience. Undoubtedly there were ups and downs. But overall, I would do the whole experience again in a heartbeat. I learned so much. So much about travel, so much about life, so much about what a successful career looks like, and so much about the world. I want everyone to know what to expect before they get into this program however, it was not always easy, except nothing good usually is.

As the CIMBA program is coming to a close, I am left with so many memories and experiences that have drastically changed and defined who I am and who I will be. I am writing this during finals week, semi excited to leave. School has taken up a lot of time and I have learned a lot so far, but the greatest teacher, in my opinion, were the weekend trips we would go on.

Now that things are finishing up, I am left with some final thoughts about CIMBA. With everything comes its positives and negatives. However, what good does it do to focus on the negatives? So instead, I will focus on the positives.

We just got back from the second formal dinner here at CIMBA and all I can think about is how awesome it is to have smaller class sizes where we can all build relationships with the professors. They attended the dinner with us, and it truly was incredible to share meals and conversations with them. They are all extremely helpful with travel recommendations and safety tips. Not to mention they really want the best for all of us. It makes me more motivated to try harder in class as well.

One of the many things I heard before coming to Italy was how good all the food was and how I must try everything and anything. I have an open mind when it comes to trying food and have always been told to try everything at least once before you decide if you don’t like it, so this experience was going to be fun. As for the food on campus, I was not sure what to think. I was not sure if it was going to be like in elementary or middle school where the food was never quite cooked all the way, or it was overcooked. Where we going to have to grab a tray and get our food, was the tables were going to be hard plastic with attached round seats; I was about to find out. Sitting in my room on week 8 and looking back at the first night here and what we had to eat, I don’t know if it was from being so exhausted or just having to have two meals on the plane, but it was the best meal I had in what seemed like days. I cannot even remember what it was, but it was pasta of some kind, and we had a vegetable and water.

We now have two days left of class before being on travel break! It has been super fun hearing about all of the fun places everybody will be going this weekend. I will be traveling with my mom for the first week of fall break and am in the process of planning my final weekend in Bologna.

Being a student at CIMBA has many benefits from being in Italy for three months to the planned outings. Our second outing as a group was to the small town of Asolo. Asolo is an 11-minute drive south of campus. When you pull up on the bus to the city center you are greeted with a beautiful fountain. Off to the right of the fountain is a Bar (café) that has amazing gelato and if you go to the left just up the street there is a family-owned and operated pizzeria. We had the pleasure of coming in on a Monday when they are closed, and having a first-hand look at how pizza is made. He told us the ingredients they use and what makes a good dough. Then it was time to put us to work. Three at a time, we went down and spread open the dough, put on the sauce and toppings, and let the wood-fired oven do its magic. I will say it was the BEST pizza I have ever had!

My time in Italy has been rewarding. The people of this small town are so kind and warm to the funny American students, and some of the local shop owners will even ask what state you are from and then point it out on the map they have. I found this true at the little bar (we call them coffee shops) around the corner from the school, which I like to go to on the weekends. I particularly enjoyed it on Saturday before the start of the second week. I knew it would be a long week ahead with starting Genesis or Experiential Leadership Training on Wednesday morning and running until late Friday afternoon. I do not think the twenty-seven of us here were expecting what was going to happen in the coming days.

So far, the CIMBA experience has been absolutely electric. I wanted to write specifically about the program so far and then highlight how easy it is to travel on the weekends to all the cool sights and scenes that Paderno Del Grappa has to offer.

As I concluded my journey at CIMBA, I was and am filled with a profound sense of gratitude and reflection. Studying abroad in Paderno del Grappa, Italy, has been a transformative experience that extended beyond academics and travel. It has been a journey of self-discovery and personal growth that has fundamentally reshaped my perspective on life. In this article, I want to delve into the internal changes, the lessons learned, and the newfound appreciation for the world around me that I gained through my time at CIMBA.

I stood teetering over the waterfall’s edge, petrified by the enormous distance between me and the water below. After a long time confronting my fear of heights, I suddenly had a surge of bravery and took the plunge into the freezing water. As the current rushed over my face, I realized this was where I was supposed to be. I almost didn’t go abroad; the U.S. provided a sense of familiarity that I was anxious to give up. I clung to this fear for the first few days in Italy, struggling to adjust to the new normal. It wasn’t until this moment of achievement that I recognized how much I had already grown. Flash forward, and it’s been about a week since the conclusion of the CIMBA summer program. Although it felt like only days, my time in Italy has proven to be one of the most profound experiences of my life. It has reshaped my outlook on life and led to significant academic, cultural, and personal growth.

Participating in the CIMBA summer study abroad program in Italy was an enriching and life-changing experience. This reflection captures the essence of my journey, highlighting the academic, cultural, and personal growth that I experienced during my time abroad.

Coming into a summer session at CIMBA out of a very busy semester, I didn’t have as much time as I would have liked to delve into the culture and the language that I would be experiencing in Italy. Fortunately for me, when I sent in my list of preferred classes, I put down Italy Live. And I am so, so glad that I did. Even barely a week in, I feel that I’m among the luckiest on campus to be a part of this class- here are my top 5 reasons why:

Before coming to CIMBA, I was eager to find out how I could maintain my fitness and health while studying abroad in Paderno del Grappa. Like many students experiencing Europe for the first time, I was determined to stay active and healthy. In just under a week here at CIMBA, I've discovered that I feel healthier than I ever did at home or university. Let's explore the different aspects of health and wellness here through two key categories: the gym and the café.

The phrase “time flies when you’re having fun” has never been more applicable in my life than it is regarding my semester abroad. With the semester winding down, each passing day is just a reminder that this whirlwind experience is almost over. It’s honestly difficult for me to fathom how much time I’ve already spent here, but upon further reflection, I realize that I have done and seen so many things, made so many friends, and changed in so many ways.

Time flies when you’re having fun! This statement is truer than it seems, and I cannot believe I have been in Italy for half the semester already. Needless to say, as we reach the height of the semester, these recent weeks have been very fun for everyone with spring break planning and new friendships developed during the Open Minds Project.

The past three weeks here in Italy have been a whirlwind of excitement, stress, and a whole lot of chaos. These three words can accurately describe studying abroad as a whole, but they are particularly precise when it comes to describing midterms and spring break.

Time has been flying by here in Paderno! Other than being in class, the past two weeks have been filled with studying for midterms, planning spring break travels, writing a couple of essays, and spending time with friends either at one of the local cafés or at the local pizzeria Al Sole.

Arriving in Paderno Del Grappa two weeks ago a lot was going through my mind. I was excited to meet new people, exhausted from the plane ride over, and in awe of the world around me.

A little over a week ago, I climbed down the charter bus’s steps and onto CIMBA’s campus, dragging my jam-packed suitcases across the cobblestone street of Paderno del Grappa. It’s good I didn’t fall on my face as I entered the classroom building because my gaze was set on the breathtaking mountains towering above the town, kissing the clouds that littered the baby-blue sky.

When I think of the term studying abroad, I think about exciting travels – visiting new, exotic places every week. And while you do get the chance to do just that on the weekends, what does a normal day look like as a student in the CIMBA study abroad program?

As sad as I am to write this final blog post, I am even more grateful to be able to share my CIMBA experience with my friends, family, and anyone that has been reading these blogs. Although my current writing location, in Iowa, is not as captivating as a café in Paderno del Grappa or on the train coming home from Rome, I am still enjoying the opportunity to reminisce on the four weeks I spent in the program.

As I enter the last week of this program, I am in shock of how quickly it has gone by. I’ve been fortunate enough to make many friends on this trip that I am dreading saying goodbye to at the end of the week. However, I am extremely grateful to have everlasting memories with them that I look forward to sharing.

Ciao! It’s hard to believe that less than a week ago, I arrived at the beautiful CIMBA campus for the first time. This first week on campus has been an exciting, fun, and welcoming experience. I’ve met people from all over 18 different universities and instantly made so many new friends. My first week of classes went great and I have already learned so much about business and life around the globe.

Ciao! My name is Ashley Jennings, and we have one week of living in Italy under our belts. Living in Italy has been such a surreal experience that I don’t think I will be able to fully grasp until it is gone. The food, people, and culture are making me realize what Italy is all about and why people never want to leave!

The first week of CIMBA is officially over! Exactly a week ago today, I was arriving to the campus and locating my room to unpack. This first week was nothing short of an amazing time, as I met so many new people, tried new foods and drinks, and got to see beautiful views from weekday and weekend traveling.

Ciao! It was exactly one week ago when I touched down on Italian soil! It was the craziest experience. It all went by very fast, but the first day was most exhausting. After being jet lagged, and getting little to no sleep in days, it was a lot to take in at first. As soon as we got to the CIMBA campus, it was only just beginning! You got your keys to find your room, you had orientation and then had to get up by 8 AM to start your first day of classes the very next day! It was so exciting to get started!

On the surface, one the primary benefits of studying abroad is having the opportunity to travel the world and explore new places with similarly minded friends. However, I’ve personally received just as much, if not more, satisfaction from being able to learn international topics in a foreign setting.

If you’ve found the CIMBA Blogs, then you’ve read about the Aggiungi un Posta a Tavola (Add a Seat to the Table) program. Life and food at the Istituto Filippin are grand, but the newness wears off after a few weeks. Comfort and love in home cooked food doesn’t find its way to the spice cabinet of the cafeteria chefs.

When I first decided to study abroad, I had many questions and nerves. I remember getting on the plane to Italy, feeling like I had no idea what the next month had in store. Looking back now, I had nothing to worry about. My past month spent in Italy at CIMBA was so amazing.

Ciao friends! I am now a month into being abroad and two weeks into being at CIMBA! It for sure was a big adjustment going from traveling abroad on vacation to studying and traveling abroad at the same time!

2 weeks down & 2 more to go! Today marks 12 days here in Italy! The last 12 days have been filled with going to class, walks around Paderno, field trips to Asolo, night trips to Bassano, lots of gelato, a weekend trip to Florence, and a pasta making class!

One week in Italy and I think I have the hang of it all…almost. I arrived only seven days ago yet I feel as though I have been here for weeks based on how much I have already learned. I am so grateful to be in a place where they make every effort to aspire not only academic growth, but also personal growth as well.

If you are thinking about studying in Paderno del Grappa you may be wondering what is there to do in this town that you have never heard of before. Most students leave almost every weekend, but at least once or twice one is bound to stay in PDG. I am here to tell you what one can do when staying back in this quaint village, whether it be a weekday or a weekend.

Choosing to study abroad is a commitment that requires an open and intelligent mind. The point of a study abroad program is to get a whole different feel for the world by gaining cultural intelligence while testing your academic intelligence.

One of the biggest challenges here at CIMBA is balancing school life with fun and travel. People travel basically every weekend or if people stay in PDG (Paderno del Grappa) they travel to local towns nearby. You will not do homework on the weekends! Do not think that you will, if anything the most I have done on the weekends is during the train ride to wherever we decided to go.

My biggest accomplishment is living three different lives in Italy, one more than Hannah Montana. The students at Paderno have two different class schedules: A-Days on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and B-Days on Tuesday and Thursday. The third life, you ask? Well, that’s whatever happens traveling on the weekends.

It now has been five days since arriving in Paderno del Grappa, Italy. I have already experienced and learned so much. Now that I know some do’s and don’ts of what to pack as well as how to better prepare I have some very important advice to share with any future CIMBA students who may be reading this blog.

Not only have I been traveling around the United States these past two weeks, but I will be flying to Italy in four days to gain cultural experience while pursuing my college degree. Traveling consists of many factors: weather, political and social culture, destination’s customs and beliefs, but currently, the most significant factor is the pandemic.

You may be wondering: What exactly does a week in the life of a study abroad student look life? Well, I am glad you asked!

Ciao to all from across the pond. I have been on the Istituti Filippin campus for just over a week now and still feel as if I am seeing things for the first time. Our campus is nestled in the quaint town of Paderno del Grappa, Italy.

Coronavirus – it’s a hot topic these days and reasonably so. Hardly anybody knew what it was or that it even existed just a few weeks ago. Then it started to spread to South Korea, Japan, and of course Italy.

I never get tired of the breathtaking mountain view. Every morning, when I open my curtains, I take in the landscape, and every single time, it still amazes me. This past weekend, I decided to wander aimlessly throughout the nearby cities, and no words can convey the level of serenity and content I felt during that time.

My first two weeks in Italy have been a whirlwind. My first few days of classes went by quickly and soon it was time for LIFE. I have gone through various leadership and development programs before, and I expected LIFE to be similar except with more technology and monitoring involved. I have never been more wrong.

Anticipating moving to Paderno came with many preconceived notions about what I was getting myself into. Nothing screams discomfort like moving to a foreign country with a bunch of strangers. I was clueless as to what my adaptation process would look like, and although I knew studying abroad was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down, I honestly felt more fear than excitement.

Hello everyone, it’s Hannah and I am back with another blog to talk to you guys about CIMBA classes. Coming over the campus, I was not entirely sure how classes were going to go.

Prior to being here, I had so many questions about what CIMBA was like, specifically what past students thought about the campus and travel opportunities. Here are some major points to consider before deciding on a study abroad program.

Hello everyone, it’s Hannah and I am back with another blog to talk to you guys about my daily life at CIMBA. Even though we’ve already been going for 6 weeks, I still feel like every day holds something different.

Hello everyone, it’s Hannah and I am back with another blog to talk to you guys about homesickness. Homesickness is something that, until traveling abroad, I had not ever felt.

My mornings start differently than most students here at CIMBA because I don’t wake up to eat breakfast at the time it’s provided – 8 am. Instead, I make my way to the local cafe next to campus where you can purchase delicious, handmade pastries when you conveniently “miss” breakfast.