Polly Peters - Study Abroad legacy

Of all the UG programs we carry out during the year, the Summer term always brings with it some extra magic, allowing all of us to experience unique stories and memories.

A few weeks ago, we received the visit of Ms Polly Peters, MBA Alum from 1998, who came back to Italy to visit her son Peter, enrolled in the Summer 2026 program in Paderno del Grappa. Her enthusiasm was contagious and it was a pleasure to listen to her reminisce about her own time in Asolo, where the MBA program was located until 2013.

“I was in Asolo summer of 1998. I was funding my MBA classes by babysitting and waiting tables, and still not sure how I found the extra money to go to Italy!".

The first week was admittedly a little hard, the homesickness kicking in together with jet lag did not make things easy in a new country, but she also recalls: “I remember Asolo welcoming us warmly, the beautifully renovated convent, the engaging professors and helpful staff, the super loud thunderstorms (which I loved), prosecco only after assignments completed, and the beloved pizza guy in the square, to whom I reintroduced myself this summer”.

By week two she had made the conscious decision to challenge the unpleasant feelings that surfaced at the beginning: “I decided I have to overcome that fear. I could do that!”. So she proceeded to travel solo. She ferried over to the island of Elba, and that experience gave her the boost she needed to step outside her comfort zone and enjoy the experience of being abroad.

“Studying abroad in Italy at CIMBA will always be one of the most impactful experiences of my lifetime. I loved the independence and adventure I felt while there, while also deeply appreciative of the history and culture of the country and region. It was the experience of a lifetime as a student, and again this summer as a parent. Such a gift for Luke to be able to study at CIMBA too.”

Her son Luke did not miss the chance to experience his own version of study abroad and when presented with the opportunity, he gathered his closest friends from his fraternity and made the leap across the ocean. In the true spirit of study abroad, and perhaps inspired by his own legacy, he made new friends along the way and was able to enjoy to the fullest his Italian summer experience.