Student Experience

Ciao! Or should I say “hi!” now that I am officially back in the States? Since being home, I have missed lots of things from my time in Italy: my daily (sometimes multiple times a day) cappuccino, the drawn-out dinners filled with endless stories and laughs, waking up to the beautiful Dolomites right outside of my window, the cheap but delicious pizza and pasta. The list could go on. However, I’ve also been cherishing the time I now have to reflect on my study abroad experience–the memories, lessons learned, growth, and everything in between. In honor of the past week and a half of reflection time that I have had, I decided to share with you three things that I learned from my five weeks spent studying in and traveling around Italy. Let’s dive in:

A scenic train ride took us away to the coastal town of Sorrento. The views looked like something out of a movie- the serene blue of the Mediterranean against the vibrant lemon grove left me in awe. As we arrived, the scent of the seas mingled with the fragrance of lemon groves, setting the stage for a memorable weekend ahead.

As I concluded my journey at CIMBA, I was and am filled with a profound sense of gratitude and reflection. Studying abroad in Paderno del Grappa, Italy, has been a transformative experience that extended beyond academics and travel. It has been a journey of self-discovery and personal growth that has fundamentally reshaped my perspective on life. In this article, I want to delve into the internal changes, the lessons learned, and the newfound appreciation for the world around me that I gained through my time at CIMBA.

I stood teetering over the waterfall’s edge, petrified by the enormous distance between me and the water below. After a long time confronting my fear of heights, I suddenly had a surge of bravery and took the plunge into the freezing water. As the current rushed over my face, I realized this was where I was supposed to be. I almost didn’t go abroad; the U.S. provided a sense of familiarity that I was anxious to give up. I clung to this fear for the first few days in Italy, struggling to adjust to the new normal. It wasn’t until this moment of achievement that I recognized how much I had already grown. Flash forward, and it’s been about a week since the conclusion of the CIMBA summer program. Although it felt like only days, my time in Italy has proven to be one of the most profound experiences of my life. It has reshaped my outlook on life and led to significant academic, cultural, and personal growth.

Participating in the CIMBA summer study abroad program in Italy was an enriching and life-changing experience. This reflection captures the essence of my journey, highlighting the academic, cultural, and personal growth that I experienced during my time abroad.

I have to be honest. During my last week abroad with CIMBA I was craving a butter burger from Culver’s.

While spending a month in Europe eating loads of pasta, pizza, and other carb-heavy foods, you may be wondering why you don’t feel extremely full or bloated after every meal. How can we dine out several times a day on our travel weekends and not grow sick of it? For me, I can feel full for several hours after going to a restaurant simply because the dishes are dense and of a large portion size. In reference to the dining hall food, we were served pasta twice a day accompanied by bread and sometimes even pizza. In American diet culture, that many carbohydrates is a big no simply because of how unhealthy it is. To rephrase, in America, the food is seen as unhealthy. Yet these same dishes are very prevalent in Italian culture and pose very few problems for digestive health. The following paragraphs will detail why Italian cuisine affects us differently.

Nestled in the foothills of the Venetian Prealps, Bassano del Grappa is a charming town in the Veneto region of Italy. Bassano del Grappa roughly translates to “base of Mount Grappa.” The old town is located roughly thirty minutes away from the CIMBA campus by bus. The CIMBA program offers multiple dates throughout the summer to visit Bassano by night. Renowned for its historic architecture, beautiful landscapes, and rich cultural heritage, Bassano del Grappa offers multiple unique experiences that cater to all interests.

Today marks the final week of my journey at CIMBA. I chose to study abroad to step outside my comfort zone, and CIMBA offered an incredible balance of academic rigor and travel opportunities that I couldn't resist. As I look back on my time in Italy, it feels like it flew by, yet it has profoundly shaped who I am. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything and am deeply grateful for everything I’ve encountered here. In this article, I want to reflect on my experience and break it down into three key areas: Academics, Culture, and Personal Growth. Let's dive in.

“We’ll take chicken and fries, please!” Sometimes familiarity and simplicity are needed amidst so much change.

It has officially been a little over a month since I arrived back in the United States and boy do I miss my time in Italy. Arriving back in the US I was expecting to deal with the reverse culture shock and the adjustment to going back to work and not being able to walk everywhere and thankfully I adjusted back quickly. However, now that I have been back for a while I have had time to reflect on my time spent in Italy and I have come to appreciate the memories I have made as well as some of the important lessons I learned along the way.

“If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?” This is one of my favorite ice-breaker questions because it not only opens the door for endless conversations, as it did a few nights ago around the dinner table in Florence, but also gives me an excuse to talk about three of my passions in life: food, travel, and writing. If I could have any job in the world, I would want to be a food and travel blogger, so it’s exciting that I’m living out that dream during my time at CIMBA.

Before coming to CIMBA, I was eager to find out how I could maintain my fitness and health while studying abroad in Paderno del Grappa. Like many students experiencing Europe for the first time, I was determined to stay active and healthy. In just under a week here at CIMBA, I've discovered that I feel healthier than I ever did at home or university. Let's explore the different aspects of health and wellness here through two key categories: the gym and the café.

I’ve never cared for the saying “All good things must come to an end”. While it may be entirely true, I have always had difficulty accepting that amazing experiences must end. This is exactly how I feel now that my semester abroad has been officially over for an entire month.

On Christmas Day, I always get a little bit sad that the season is ending. I adore all the music, decorations, food, and festivities Christmastime brings, and I am one of those people who never want it to end.

Finishing off this semester has been a whirlwind of emotions from stress about final exams to the sadness of leaving my new friends and Europe. This experience through the CIMBA program has been worthwhile and I am really dreading leaving Europe.

Last week, my friends and I went to Bassano a couple of days ago and asked for a table at a restaurant. “We can get you a table,” the hostess responded. “But only for three hours. Is that okay?”

The phrase “time flies when you’re having fun” has never been more applicable in my life than it is regarding my semester abroad. With the semester winding down, each passing day is just a reminder that this whirlwind experience is almost over. It’s honestly difficult for me to fathom how much time I’ve already spent here, but upon further reflection, I realize that I have done and seen so many things, made so many friends, and changed in so many ways.

I am going to miss so many things about Europe when I leave to go back to the States. I will be reminiscing on the memories I have made here for years to come, constantly picturing the sights, the cities, the art, and the nature I have gotten to experience.

Traveling to four countries in ten days may sound crazy but I made it work and loved every second of it. Where did I go? What did I do? What was my favorite place? All are great questions, and I am delighted to let you know about my amazing experience from spring break!

When I was little, I was a bit of a hoarder. I took great pride in my button and quarter collections and would quickly grow quite attached to birthday cards, bracelets I had overgrown, and Happy Meal toys.

I think there are likely a lot of people out there who have once dreamed of one day getting to visit one of Italy’s most famous cities. Of walking by the Colosseum and wandering through the Roman Forum. Of sitting by the Trevi Fountain in the morning when the air is warm and the sun is shining.

Time flies when you’re having fun! This statement is truer than it seems, and I cannot believe I have been in Italy for half the semester already. Needless to say, as we reach the height of the semester, these recent weeks have been very fun for everyone with spring break planning and new friendships developed during the Open Minds Project.

The past three weeks here in Italy have been a whirlwind of excitement, stress, and a whole lot of chaos. These three words can accurately describe studying abroad as a whole, but they are particularly precise when it comes to describing midterms and spring break.

Time has been flying by here in Paderno! Other than being in class, the past two weeks have been filled with studying for midterms, planning spring break travels, writing a couple of essays, and spending time with friends either at one of the local cafés or at the local pizzeria Al Sole.

Ciao! The past two weeks have been a whirlwind. Thankfully, all my luggage arrived in Venice safe and sound. The hour-long ride from the airport to campus was surreal. It felt like I was back in the Texas hill country for a few minutes. Then we drove by vineyards, through some quaint villages, and the Italian countryside until we arrived at CIMBA. It is simply beautiful here!

A little over a week ago, I climbed down the charter bus’s steps and onto CIMBA’s campus, dragging my jam-packed suitcases across the cobblestone street of Paderno del Grappa. It’s good I didn’t fall on my face as I entered the classroom building because my gaze was set on the breathtaking mountains towering above the town, kissing the clouds that littered the baby-blue sky.

Ciao! My name is Caroline Potts, and I am a sophomore studying English and Business Management at the University of Iowa. College at Iowa has been the best experience I could have asked for, but I am really looking forward to studying abroad in Italy this coming semester and being a blog ambassador for CIMBA!

Howdy! My name is Jayne Claire Vincent. I’m one of the CIMBA blog ambassadors for the Spring 2024 semester! I’m super excited to be able to document all that this upcoming semester has to offer, but first things first, a little intro to start us off. I am a junior at Berry College studying International Business with a focus in Management. I have been passionate about learning about different cultures since I was little. Houston, Texas is where I call home. Known for being a melting pot of diverse cultures, I feel as though Houston has ignited a passion for exploring new and exciting things.

Hi everyone! My name is Julia Bernstein, and I wanted to start by introducing myself. I am a sophomore at Berry College, and I am majoring in international business and finance. Traveling abroad for a semester has been something I have wanted to do since high school and I am so excited that I am getting the chance to go abroad this semester through the CIMBA program.

Ciao ragazzi! My name is Jessica Boucher, and this semester I will be one of a few blog ambassadors for CIMBA.

When I think of the term studying abroad, I think about exciting travels – visiting new, exotic places every week. And while you do get the chance to do just that on the weekends, what does a normal day look like as a student in the CIMBA study abroad program?

Being a Formula 1 fan in Italy is extra special because of the rich history of racing here. Being able to go to iconic tracks and experience them is extremely exciting. Having gotten into Formula 1 just a couple of months before coming to CIMBA was great, as while I watched the races, I got to see places that I could potentially visit in my time abroad.

It has been exactly 123 days since I had to say goodbye to the beautiful CIMBA campus in Italy and all the amazing friends and people I met there. Although I have been away for quite some time, CIMBA has remained ever present in my life…I think I have successfully managed to bring up CIMBA and my wonderful experience there nearly every single day since.

Having your parents visit you during your study abroad is an interesting experience. As a student, it’s highly recommended not to rent a motor vehicle during your stay in Europe. After navigating the winding roads and high speeds on narrow mountain roads in places like Bassano Del Grappa and Padova, I can attest to this.

A saying you will hear a lot after traveling is “all good things must come to an end” or “nothing great lasts forever”. The trip is over, and I will never see the CIMBA campus and its staff again. I will never eat in the cafeteria (with the amazing rolls and local made butter), drink the vending machine coffee, or dance with my friends after the formal dinner with multiple courses. While I agree with this statement to an extent, I am also here to refute it.

As sad as I am to write this final blog post, I am even more grateful to be able to share my CIMBA experience with my friends, family, and anyone that has been reading these blogs. Although my current writing location, in Iowa, is not as captivating as a café in Paderno del Grappa or on the train coming home from Rome, I am still enjoying the opportunity to reminisce on the four weeks I spent in the program.

If I ask you what makes humans similar or different, what would your answer be? Your answer could be scientific through the use of water, shelter, and good rest. It could also be answered in a less fact-based way like how we all have our own versions of right and wrong. Through this program, I have had the privilege to experience the raw moments of joy traveling brings to newcomers.

Ciao! As I begin my last week at CIMBA, I am blown away by how quickly this experience has gone by. I have felt so much love, gratitude, and wonder during my time abroad. I’ve been lucky enough to meet some incredible people and create relationships that I will have for the rest of my life. The past 2 weeks have been some of my favorite memories I’ve made all year, so in this post, I wanted to do a little recap of my summer semester.

I cannot believe that it’s almost over. As I entered this last week, I am amazed at how quickly it has flown by. Before I came, I was so nervous and scared at what lay ahead for me. The last month has been the most surreal experience I have ever had.

I do believe that everything comes to an end but I never really think the journey is over. I do however believe all experiences come to an end and I am never good at goodbyes so this was a hard one. I spent months preparing for this trip and it just is over as quickly as it came. I had the best month of my life with experiences I will never forget. It was the best time and I can not wait to tell these stories to all that listen.

As I enter the last week of this program, I am in shock of how quickly it has gone by. I’ve been fortunate enough to make many friends on this trip that I am dreading saying goodbye to at the end of the week. However, I am extremely grateful to have everlasting memories with them that I look forward to sharing.

Ciao! Bonjour! Hello! My name is Kelsey Harper and I am from the University of Arkansas and have made the quaint, Paderno del Grappa, Italy my new home for the last week. After finishing my last final, I closed my laptop, and rushed off a few hours later to a new start of a life changing experience that would change my perspective in all areas of my life.

Ciao! It’s hard to believe that less than a week ago, I arrived at the beautiful CIMBA campus for the first time. This first week on campus has been an exciting, fun, and welcoming experience. I’ve met people from all over 18 different universities and instantly made so many new friends. My first week of classes went great and I have already learned so much about business and life around the globe.

Ciao! My name is Ashley Jennings, and we have one week of living in Italy under our belts. Living in Italy has been such a surreal experience that I don’t think I will be able to fully grasp until it is gone. The food, people, and culture are making me realize what Italy is all about and why people never want to leave!

Ciao! It was exactly one week ago when I touched down on Italian soil! It was the craziest experience. It all went by very fast, but the first day was most exhausting. After being jet lagged, and getting little to no sleep in days, it was a lot to take in at first. As soon as we got to the CIMBA campus, it was only just beginning! You got your keys to find your room, you had orientation and then had to get up by 8 AM to start your first day of classes the very next day! It was so exciting to get started!

The first week of CIMBA is officially over! Exactly a week ago today, I was arriving to the campus and locating my room to unpack. This first week was nothing short of an amazing time, as I met so many new people, tried new foods and drinks, and got to see beautiful views from weekday and weekend traveling.

Ciao!! My name is Ashley Jennings, and I just finished my sophomore year at the University of Arkansas. I am a Speech Pathology major with a Human Development and Family Sciences minor. I have always wanted to travel abroad, and I am so excited to be sharing my experiences with you. I have never been out of the country before, so I am delighted to be sharing with you my raw and honest experience with something I’ve never done before!

First things first, I think introductions are important so you know more about the person you’re talking to, or better yet reading from. My name is Danielle (Dani) Cann and I am a junior studying Business Marketing at West Virginia University. I don’t want to bore you with things like what to pack while studying abroad in Italy or places to go visit because for me personally, those just depend on what type of person you are.

Ciao!! My name is Mackenzie Dyer and I just finished my sophomore year at the University of Arkansas. I am a Marketing Major with Minors in Supply Chain and Entrepreneurship. Studying abroad in college has always been a dream of mine, so I am so excited to share my journey abroad with all of you. In this first post, I wanted to share why I chose CIMBA and provide some details on my pre-departure.

Hi! My name is Ceely Patramanis, and I wanted to start off by briefly introducing myself. I am going into my third year at the University of Iowa as a Marketing and Management major. Some of my hobbies include hanging out with friends, reading, cooking, and traveling. I wanted to share why I decided to study abroad with CIMBA and some of the expectations I have for this experience prior to my departure.

A little more than halfway through the CIMBA semester, we get a week-long spring break. This was such a nice time to relax before the workload increased leading up to finals.

For our first extended travel weekend, a large group of us decided to travel to Vienna, Austria. This was our first time traveling by plane in our time at CIMBA. We were able to rent a bus to take us all to the airport which was very convenient. Our flight was in the early afternoon, but we allowed plenty of time to get to the airport and relax before our flight.

For our first weekend after LIFE, many of the CIMBA students decided to spend the weekend in Florence. Not knowing much about Florence aside from the Statue of David, I was looking forward to the unexpected. We were all able to find Airbnbs at relatively low prices; most likely because it is the off season.

My name is Kristin Kelly and I am a sophomore studying at West Virginia University. I always knew that I wanted to study abroad. I thought being immersed in a new world be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. When I first heard about CIMBA, I was intrigued. Once I did more research, I had my eyes set on studying abroad through this program.

I ought to summarize my three-month furlough with sappy how to lists or what I notice the absence of after my return to the United States with long eloquence. But people who use big words only use them to sound smart.

The 12 weeks of our semester abroad are sadly up and us students have said “arrivederci” to Paderno Del Grappa and “ciao” to our family and friends at home in America. After having some time to relax and reflect on the experience of this past semester, I wanted to use my last blog to offer some advice on how students can make the most of their CIMBA experience as well as provide my final reflection and thanks to the program.

Destinations don’t always align with others’ desires. Therefore you must explore them yourself. Here’s how to make the most of traveling alone.

On the surface, one the primary benefits of studying abroad is having the opportunity to travel the world and explore new places with similarly minded friends. However, I’ve personally received just as much, if not more, satisfaction from being able to learn international topics in a foreign setting.

If you’ve found the CIMBA Blogs, then you’ve read about the Aggiungi un Posta a Tavola (Add a Seat to the Table) program. Life and food at the Istituto Filippin are grand, but the newness wears off after a few weeks. Comfort and love in home cooked food doesn’t find its way to the spice cabinet of the cafeteria chefs.

This past weekend, us CIMBA students had an extended travel weekend to explore Europe and while some students headed south for exotic weather and natural beauty, I chose to spend my time in London (which is known for none of that). However, what London lacks in sunny, 80 degree days and ocean side views, it makes up for in things like international food culture, royal history, and most importantly (to me at least), a uniquely diverse sporting culture.

Ciao! It’s been just over one week since our student cohort arrived here in Paderno del Grappa and I still can’t get over how gorgeous this campus is…we’ve all stayed extremely busy, as our time’s been filled with fun teambuilding activities, interactive problem solving/decision making classes, and late-night trip planning sessions where the craziest ideas get thrown out there.

March 12th, 2020 – My Introduction to Marketing Strategy discussion section was wrapping up in the early afternoon and I gathered my things to head down the hall to my academic advisor’s office. I was approaching the dreaded midterms season of my fourth semester at the University of Iowa but always looked forward to planning out potential schedules for upcoming semesters, and this meeting was different.

When I first decided to study abroad, I had many questions and nerves. I remember getting on the plane to Italy, feeling like I had no idea what the next month had in store. Looking back now, I had nothing to worry about. My past month spent in Italy at CIMBA was so amazing.

As my time at CIMBA comes to a close, I am thankful to have had this blog as an outlet to share, reflect, and remember all of the special moments I have had. I am going to be honest – I have been pretty busy since you last heard from me! I have travelled both out of the country and explored a few more places in Italy.

The second weekend here, my friends and I decided to travel down to Rome and little did I know it would quickly become one of my favorite memories. As soon as we landed in the Roma Termini train station, we hit the ground running. After a chaotic weekend in Lake Como the previous weekend, we had everything for Rome booked ahead of time.

Traveling on the weekends is an adventure like none other, and often the main topic of conversation. While I love exploring on the weekends, there have been so many fun activities to do during the week here in Paderno and surrounding towns. Here are some highlights of what I’ve been up to during the week!

Traveling can be exhausting and overwhelming for both the body and the mind. Because there are so many changes happening at once, it can be easy to forget about your mental health. In this blog post I hope to offer resources to help other study abroad students find new ways to check-in with themselves before the trip, during their travels, and on the flight back home.

2 weeks down & 2 more to go! Today marks 12 days here in Italy! The last 12 days have been filled with going to class, walks around Paderno, field trips to Asolo, night trips to Bassano, lots of gelato, a weekend trip to Florence, and a pasta making class!

5 weeks, 4 countries, 3 suitcases, 2 missed trains, and 1 canceled flight later… I’m home. However, this time home is not my tiny, little dorm room at CIMBA; it’s Fayetteville, Arkansas. It only took a few weeks for CIMBA to begin feeling like home.

As my time here at CIMBA is coming to an end, I wanted to use this blog to share some funny moments that happened during my time abroad! You only post what you want people to see on Instagram and needless to say these fails did not make my Instagram feed…

This past weekend was our first official travel weekend. My friends and I decided to visit the beautiful city of Venice! Everyone told me Venice was a must-see and they could not have been more right. From the moment we stepped off the train in Venice, I was constantly in awe of all the city’s beauty.

One week in Italy and I think I have the hang of it all…almost. I arrived only seven days ago yet I feel as though I have been here for weeks based on how much I have already learned. I am so grateful to be in a place where they make every effort to aspire not only academic growth, but also personal growth as well.

Ciao! My name is Chandler Cartwright, and I am an upcoming junior with a Food Science Major with a Marketing minor at the University of Arkansas. After deciding I wanted to study abroad, I quickly realized how many different programs there were to choose from and felt very overwhelmed – which is why I’m going to make your decision easier by telling you why CIMBA was the best option!

Learn all about exploring Italy without a car, the customs of the country, and staying safe as a tourist.

The one-week countdown to Italy is on. I am dreaming of the pepperoni pizza I will eat, walks I will take on the cobble stone streets, and the lovely people I will meet. Ok…enough with dreaming and rhyming…it’s time to pack and prepare.

It’s currently finals week for me at the University of Iowa and only twelve days before I leave for Italy. Between studying and spending time with friends, I’ve been anxiously preparing and thinking about my time in Italy. I am beyond excited about my experience abroad, but I definitely have a few nerves going into it.

Now that I have made it back home and am settled in, I would like to write my final reflections of this whole study abroad experience.

If you are thinking about studying in Paderno del Grappa you may be wondering what is there to do in this town that you have never heard of before. Most students leave almost every weekend, but at least once or twice one is bound to stay in PDG. I am here to tell you what one can do when staying back in this quaint village, whether it be a weekday or a weekend.

One of the biggest challenges here at CIMBA is balancing school life with fun and travel. People travel basically every weekend or if people stay in PDG (Paderno del Grappa) they travel to local towns nearby. You will not do homework on the weekends! Do not think that you will, if anything the most I have done on the weekends is during the train ride to wherever we decided to go.

My biggest accomplishment is living three different lives in Italy, one more than Hannah Montana. The students at Paderno have two different class schedules: A-Days on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and B-Days on Tuesday and Thursday. The third life, you ask? Well, that’s whatever happens traveling on the weekends.

It’s Friday, January 7th and I have exactly nine days before leaving on my first flight next Sunday. Some things I have been doing to prepare include a lot of shopping on Amazon and taking advantage of post-Christmas sales, spending lots of time with friends and family, trip planning, and making a vision board.

You may be concerned to land in a continent with peers you may not know. That is valid! However, I would not waste one second worrying about not making friends at CIMBA. I was lucky enough to have five of my sorority sisters join me on this excursion, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

You may be wondering: What exactly does a week in the life of a study abroad student look life? Well, I am glad you asked!

Ciao to all from across the pond. I have been on the Istituti Filippin campus for just over a week now and still feel as if I am seeing things for the first time. Our campus is nestled in the quaint town of Paderno del Grappa, Italy.

From mountains to beaches, Italy offers so many breathtaking sights to see! I had the amazing opportunity to spend my first day of March 2020 in Catania, Sicily. It was definitely an unforgettable trip especially since it was the last trip I was able to take during my stay in Italy, but that’s a topic for another blog!

Deciding to study abroad is a complicated and difficult decision. Leaving all of your family and friends behind (unless some of your friends decide to join you) is not an easy choice to make.

Before leaving the United States, I flooded Google with searches like “study abroad tips”, “affording study abroad”, “how to pack for study abroad”, “must-see places in Europe” and anything else that could help me prepare. Is there any possible way to be 100% prepared?

Three weeks into my time in Italy and there’s already so much to talk about! But first, I’d like to give an update on a few of the goals I mentioned in my previous blog. One of my personal goals had been to appreciate the outdoors more often and I must say, in Italy that was hardly a challenge.

My first two weeks in Italy have been a whirlwind. My first few days of classes went by quickly and soon it was time for LIFE. I have gone through various leadership and development programs before, and I expected LIFE to be similar except with more technology and monitoring involved. I have never been more wrong.

Anticipating moving to Paderno came with many preconceived notions about what I was getting myself into. Nothing screams discomfort like moving to a foreign country with a bunch of strangers. I was clueless as to what my adaptation process would look like, and although I knew studying abroad was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down, I honestly felt more fear than excitement.

Ciao! My name is Maisie, and I am so excited to be blogging for CIMBA for the Spring 2020 semester. I am currently a junior enrolled at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

As a loyal and dedicated introvert, I grew up with either my nose buried in a book or a pen in my hand. And yes, I mean pen not keyboard. I’m old fashioned like that sometimes, but don’t get me wrong, my laptop is third only to my family and my phone. Now to introduce myself, my name is Allyssa Gutierrez and I will be keeping up with this blog for the next several months while I study abroad in Italy!

Ciao! I am Walter Buck, a finance junior from Christopher Newport University. In just a few days, I will leave Virginia and travel to CIMBA. I am beyond excited! I had never even considering study abroad anywhere until this past semester. I certainly never heard of CIMBA.

Hello everyone, it’s Hannah and I am back with my final blog to talk to you about my CIMBA experience. The past three months have been a whirlwind of the best experiences of my life. Every single day was a new experience, a new feeling, and a new sense of understanding.

As I sit in the airport ready to board my flight home, it is finally hitting me what I’ve just accomplished. Studying abroad through CIMBA was one of the greatest experiences of my life.

Hello everyone, it’s Hannah and I am back with another blog to talk to you guys about CIMBA classes. Coming over the campus, I was not entirely sure how classes were going to go.

As I write this, I am listening to a neighboring tenant slap their rug against their windowsill to remove the dirt and dust, watching the steam billow out of my coffee mug, and welcoming the hint of coffee in my breakfast tiramisu.

Hello everyone, it’s Hannah and I am back with another blog to talk to you guys about my daily life at CIMBA. Even though we’ve already been going for 6 weeks, I still feel like every day holds something different.

Prior to being here, I had so many questions about what CIMBA was like, specifically what past students thought about the campus and travel opportunities. Here are some major points to consider before deciding on a study abroad program.