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.
If I were to talk to someone who is thinking about attending CIMBA next summer, I would tell them to go about a million times. And then once they decided they wanted to go, because who wouldn’t, I would tell them not to take any of their experience for granted. You will never be 20 years old, spending a month in Italy with some of your best friends. Seriously, you are about to live the dream. Soak it all in. Don’t be wishing you were at home with your hometown friends, because when it’s all said and done, you’re going to be at your corporate internship under fluorescent lights, wishing you could be in Asolo getting gelato after your pizza making class.
Another piece of advice I would have for someone going to CIMBA is an oldie, but a goodie. I would tell them to never say no, which seems so obvious, but sometimes it gets lost in the study abroad of it all. Like I said in the previous paragraph, going abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that not a lot of people get to partake in during their lifetime. When is the next time you will get the chance to paraglide off the top of Monte Grappa? Exactly. There won’t be a next time. It sounds harsh, but limiting yourself by saying no is only hurting you, never helping.
Then there are some random odds and ends of advice I would give to someone coming for the first time. Like going across the street to the hotel for your daily cappuccino (I told you I would come back to this). My friends and I went every day, and it even got to the point that the waiter knew we wanted three cappuccinos every time we walked in. They even give you free biscuits to go with your coffee. I would tell them to get to Al Sole early in order to get a table, otherwise you’re out of luck. I would also tell them to sign up for the free block trips; those were the best parts of my month. And they need to be friends with the people that work at the front desk, specifically Alice and Silvia. And lastly, I would tell them to sign up for a laundry spot during the first week. Washing your clothes in the sink is not for the faint of heart.