Academic Standards

The educational experience at CIMBA differs in several ways from the one at a student's home university: 1) the courses strongly emphasize both international and practical tools and applications, 2) the participant body will be mixed in terms of representing many different universities, and 3) the intensity of the experience allows professors and participants to develop their professional relationships beyond that typically experienced at their home campuses. 

CIMBA’s Educational Philosophy
Universities aim to prepare students for career challenges. Upon graduation, students are expected to apply knowledge learned to successfully solve problems, make decisions and motivate others to achieve career advancement. At CIMBA, the three principal components of career success are knowledge, process and behavior. The learning environment created through the integration of knowledge, process and behavior is known as Mind Based Performance.

Courses and Professors
CIMBA takes academic integrity very seriously.  We are not the right study abroad program for students that want an “easy” semester.  Students should expect classes to be as demanding as they are at their home university.  Students often tell us they learned more than they thought possible because of the way professors integrate learning into real world experiences and because of the small, highly interactive classes where group discussions and teamwork are encouraged.  All of the courses are taught in English by professors with excellent teaching records.

The timing of class meetings vary from program to program.  Calendars indicating start dates, travel breaks and finals are provided for each program and are downloadable from specific program sections.  To maintain academic integrity and allow students designated travel times, courses are usually longer in length than typical classes and during semester programs, students should expect to have classes on certain Saturdays. 

Mandatory Attendance Policy
All programs offered through CIMBA have a mandatory attendance policy.  Missing class will affect students’ grades.  During semester programs, the first absence will incur a drop of 1/3rd of a letter grade. During the summer programs each absence will incur a drop of one full grade. During all programs, any student who misses three classes will be subject to program dismissal.   Excused absences are granted for certain circumstances such as illness.  In addition to maintaining the academic integrity of the program, the mandatory attendance policy helps our staff spot potential problems such as illnesses and homesickness and allows them to act appropriately to assist students.

Extra-Curricular Opportunities
CIMBA wants all students to have a well-rounded, study abroad experience.  In addition to quality academic courses, there are many opportunities for students to learn about the world both on their own and in a structured environment.  Varying by program, these opportunities include guest lectures, membership in Phi Beta Delta (an international honor society), sports, and other social activities, mentoring groups led by professors, traditional Italian dinner outings, olive picking, winery tours and many other events.