This study abroad trip has been amazing so far. Between classes, sightseeing, and business visits, every day brings something new—and I’m learning a ton in the process.
Our class sessions have been really engaging. We’re diving into international finance and international business, and while the material isn’t too hard, it’s been super informative. I’ve been surprised by how much I’m actually retaining, especially since we’re seeing a lot of these concepts play out in real-life business visits.
As a group, we’ve had the chance to explore some incredible places. Touring Rome was a mix of exciting and exhausting. Walking through the Colosseum was one of the coolest moments for me—Gladiator is my favorite movie, so seeing it in person felt unreal. We also visited the Vatican, which completely blew me away. As a Christian, standing in such a powerful and beautiful place was something I’ll never forget. In Florence, we hiked up a hill to get a full view of the city, and it was breathtaking—definitely worth the climb.
Our business visits have been super interesting, too. We’ve checked out a wine bar, a mushroom farm, a leather upcycling company, and a boutique hotel. Each visit gave us a different look at how businesses operate in Italy, and I’ve learned a lot about sustainability, hospitality, and what it takes to stay competitive in a global market.
What I’m most looking forward to now is continuing to grow the friendships I’ve made and learning more about consulting. It’s been awesome connecting with people who share the same interests, and I know some of these relationships will last long after the trip ends. Overall, this experience is shaping up to be something I’ll always look back on as a major highlight of my college years. I can not wait to see how the rest of the trip plays out.
