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.
In reflecting on my CIMBA experience, I have a few tips, takeaways, and my favorite campus memory.
1. Advice I wish I had taken.
Before leaving, we were told not to overpack. I took that advice seriously, maybe too seriously, and crammed everything into one medium suitcase and a backpack that doubled as my weekend travel bag. In hindsight, it’s less about suitcase size and more about how much you fill it. I didn’t buy a ton, but I had little room to spare, and by the end, I was playing Tetris with souvenirs, trying to zip my bag shut while sitting on top of it.
Most students brought one larger suitcase, a carry-on, and a backpack, or a large suitcase and a spacious backpack, which seemed to work better. My advice: pack light but leave space. You’ll be in Italy—of course, you’ll want to bring a few things home.
One more thing: buy a fan! I thought I’d be fine without it (cold-natured, I said), but the Italian summer says otherwise. The dorms don’t have AC, and the temperature jumps quickly. CIMBA will set out fans left behind by past students, and I’d highly recommend grabbing one if you can. If not, buy one during the first trip to the mall. It’s a game-changer for sleep and sanity.
2. Airbnb? Google Maps? Trenitalia? No problem
One of the things I appreciated most about CIMBA was the balance between structure and freedom. Weekdays were filled with classes and excursions, but weekends were completely your own. You have the flexibility to make them as jam-packed or laid-back as you want—a privilege that was both exciting and a little intimidating.
Independent travel is incredible, but it also requires maturity, adaptability, and teamwork. This is where I grew the most. In college, you're often given guidance, an answer key, a rubric, and a grade to reassure you that you're on the right track. But as you get older, the safety rails start to come off. Travel is a great example of that.
At first, planning weekend trips was nerve-wracking. I overanalyzed every review and second-guessed every decision. But as the program went on, my confidence grew. I learned to trust my judgment, knowing that things have a way of working out. Not every decision will be perfect, some may even be totally wrong, but the most important thing is learning to trust yourself.
3. Spontaneous moments make the best memories.
While my time at CIMBA had extravagant moments, some of my favorite memories are those that were simple and spontaneous. For instance, evening gelato runs. Pasticceria San Gaetano Da Mariano is a mile and a half walk from campus, and not to be dramatic, the best gelato I’ve ever had in my life. The walk down the hill is breathtaking, with views of the mountains, vineyards, and at one bend in the road, a yard with a cute horse. A simple text would initiate the journey down the hill, filled with goofy conversation, inside jokes, and a lot of laughter. When I think back on my time at CIMBA, those will always be memories that bring a smile to my face.
CIMBA was an incredible experience that I wholeheartedly recommend. The friendships, the memories, the personal growth—it’s all priceless. If you get the chance to go, take it. And when you do, leave room in your suitcase, grab a fan early, say yes to weekend travel, and never pass up a gelato run.