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.
One of my biggest concerns before arriving at CIMBA was whether I’d find a group I felt comfortable traveling with. Little did I know how quickly bonds would form through the shared experience of venturing into the unknown. At the airport, I didn’t know what to expect. But as we made our way to Paderno del Grappa, we kept bumping into more CIMBA students. We left Arkansas as a group of five, but by the time we landed in Dublin, we had grown to more than ten, traveling the final leg of our journey together.
Once on campus, there was an obvious sense of community. We all worked together to navigate common questions like: How do you use the ATM to get euros? What is a good exchange rate? How do you book a train?
Both of my classes have created environments that encourage connection and curiosity. In my Marketing Strategy course, for example, our first assignment was a trip to a local mall to observe cultural and product differences. It was a fun, slightly chaotic adventure where I met some of my first classroom friends. We scrambled to find the Italian version of Cheez-Its, made our first purchases in euros, and compared toothpaste prices. For anyone nervous about making friends, let this be a reminder: connections form in the most unexpected ways—on train rides, over shared meals, or while searching for snacks in a foreign grocery store.
I’ll admit, in the jet lag and nerves of arriving, I nearly forgot we had class that first Tuesday morning. Thankfully, our professors gave us plenty of grace, offering support and keeping the first day interactive to ease us into the academic side of the experience. Having the same classes every day was an adjustment compared to the traditional college schedule, but I’ve grown to appreciate the consistency. Familiar faces quickly became friends, making everything feel a bit more manageable.
When it comes to coursework, I’ve really appreciated how interactive and engaging all my classes have been. The faculty are not only knowledgeable in their subject areas but also
deeply familiar with the Italian cultural context, often weaving in thoughtful comparisons that bring the material to life. In the afternoons, we have opportunities for hands-on learning through site visits. For example, in my Intro to Law class, we toured a shoe museum in Montebelluna to explore the evolution of the shoe industry—an experience that perfectly complemented our class discussion on intellectual property.
Even after just one week, I still have to pinch myself: I’m in Italy! For our first weekend, we traveled to Florence—right into the chaos of a train strike. I thought I’d learned a lot in class, but this experience took learning to a whole new level. Through teamwork (and a fair amount of stress), we managed to make it and were able to enjoy all that Florence had to offer. We gazed at stunning views of the Duomo, shopped at the beautiful leather market, and ate the best gnocchi I’ve ever tasted. And don’t even get me started on the gelato!
When things feel overwhelming, I remind myself that every challenge is part of the learning process. So far, my biggest takeaways are to savor my meals a little more slowly, to take in the scenery with my eyes before reaching for my phone, and to laugh at myself when things don’t go quite right.
I’m so eager to see what’s next.
Ciao!