Ciao! I’m Katie Shults, Class of ‘27, and I’m currently on the Italy Business Program—and I couldn’t recommend it more!
We kicked off the program in Rome, where we stayed for two days, bonding with each other and taking in the city’s rich history. We toured iconic landmarks like the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Trevi Fountain, among many others. It was the perfect start; packed with adventure, memory-making, and the beginning of some amazing friendships. I’m especially grateful to know I’ll return to Mays with 30 familiar faces.
After Rome, we made our way to Florence, and I think I like it even more! Florence still feels like a big city, but it’s more walkable, less touristy, and overall more homey. We’ve been here for about five days now, and it’s been great getting settled into my apartment and adjusting to the Italian way of life.
There have definitely been a few culture shocks. The laundry machines are different and take some getting used to. Dinner service takes much longer than in the U.S., and you won’t get the check unless you ask. Also, you walk a lot here, and I’ve proudly hit my step goal every single day. Another fun difference I’ve noticed is the fashion—Italians dress incredibly well. What we’d consider dressed up in the U.S. is just their everyday look. I’ve loved shopping around and watching Italian fashion in action, both in stores and on the streets.
The food is also very different, with more carbohydrates and less protein than I’m used to. One of my favorite experiences so far was an Italian cooking class, where we made ravioli, tagliatelle, and strawberry tiramisu. It was such a fun and delicious way to engage with the culture.
On the academic side, the program has been challenging, engaging, and meaningful. We’re taking two classes, led by Dr. Lane and Dr. Rossi. In International Business, we’re working on a consulting project for a local company. We’ve been learning about Italian business culture so we can better understand how to connect with the company and establish trust to support their goals. In International Finance, we’re studying topics like multinational corporations, balance of payments, foreign exchange markets, and how exchange rates are determined and influenced by governments. Even though it’s still early in the term, I’ve already gained a much broader perspective on how international systems function and how we can apply that knowledge back home.
As this program continues, I hope to keep growing by appreciating Italian culture, understanding its deep history, and recognizing how small my own world bubble can be. It’s been very humbling and inspiring. This experience has already taught me so much, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to be here!
