Ciao everyone! (one last time)
It’s been a couple of weeks since Ilanded back in Milwaukee, and I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on my CIMBAexperience. It’s been an absolutely wild ride. We started by meeting strangersfrom different universities, and are now one big CIMBA family. Together, we’vebeen through experiences ranging from the mutual anxiety of midterms totraveling the world together.
This whole semester was a dive into thedeep end in terms of figuring things out on the fly. Whether it was navigatingthe chaos of the Marrakesh souks or the airport transport in Paris, everysingle weekend forced us to be adaptable. A journey that, at the end of theday, made strangers turn into close friends. Strangers who somehow made delayedflights and long travel days feel like just another story to tell rather than amassive inconvenience.
The biggest shift happened on a personal level, though. Going through the Live2Influence program forced me to confront the things that usually make me uncomfortable. I had spent years boxing myself into a specific identity. I was someone who thrives on numbers and finance logic, but struggles with public speaking and creativity. By leaning into that discomfort and drawing on a lot of personal persistence, I actually found a voice I didn’t realize I had. I’m coming home with more than just a transcript of credits. I am leaving with a real sense of confidence and influence.
As I thought heading in, this journeywent by incredibly fast. The last week didn’t approach us, it blinded us withhow fast it came and how fast it ended. We didn’t realize it, but after thatlast weekend, every conversation seemed to start with "one lasttime." One last gelato run, one last dinner at Al Sole, one last up anddown the river game (iykyk), and one last view of the mountains that have beenour beautiful backdrop for months. A lot of people like to talk about studyabroad as if it is a break from reality, a fever dream, per se. While somewhattrue, the growth you achieve is about as real as it gets.
As I wrap up this chapter of my life, Ihave a few words of advice for the next generations of CIMBA. Don't just countthe stamps in your passport. Count the moments you felt genuinely challenged,the times you laughed until you couldn't breathe, and the afternoons you spentjust being present on campus. Yes, traveling the world was amazing, but thememories you carry with the people you’ve met truly mean that much more. I’mtruly fortunate to say that my heart is much fuller than the suitcase I broughthere.
Grazie e arrivederci, CIMBA. Thank youfor being the bridge for what comes next.
Srikar