Nathan Hollis’ Study Abroad Blog/Experience Log
(CIMBA – Italy)
Predeparture
For myself, one of the most difficult parts about my entire study abroad experience was deciding where I wanted to go and what program provider or exchange program to go through. The study abroad opportunities nowadays are so vast it is almost overwhelming so it is important to think this part of the process through carefully and make a decision you are both excited about and very comfortable with.
I knew that I wanted to study somewhere in Europe, but other than that I really had no clue what I wanted from my experience abroad. After speaking with a relative who has lived in Europe for much of their adult life, I decided that Italy would be an incredible place to see, as it is so different from the life I am used to living. Once I had my region narrowed down all I had to do was find a program I felt suited my needs well.
I chose CIMBA because it is pretty much all inclusive and takes a lot of the hassle away from planning for your time overseas. The CIMBA program from my perspective seemed very much like being a freshman at a University here in the USA. You are matched up with a dorm-mate and put on a meal plan which right away takes care of two of your biggest needs, food and housing. I was also comforted knowing that everyone in the program would be students from the United States, and many of which from schools in the Midwest with similar backgrounds as me.
After you’ve chosen your program, you must get prepared for going overseas. I had never been out of the country before so I had to get a passport. These take several weeks to get so it is important to not wait until the last minute to do this. Most programs also require that you obtain a temporary VISA (although CIMBA’s summer program does not, another added bonus!).
One thing I didn’t do which I deeply regret is trying to learn some of the native language of your country before leaving for your study abroad time. If I could do it all over again I would take an Intro level Italian course just so I could better understand what was going on around me and maybe be able to communicate with the Italians in their native tongue every once in a while. Out of the 200 or so students who studied with me, only 2 of them could speak any Italian at all, and even the little bit they spoke helped the rest of us out immensely. I strongly suggest considering this.
The CIMBA Program
One thing about the CIMBA program I think is unique from a lot of other study abroad programs is the location. The campus is in Padernodel Grappa which is a very small town nestled in the rolling mountains of northern Italy. About an hour away from one of the most romantic cities in the world, Venice, Paderno is a small town in the mold of many rural towns in Kansas, but the area is still one with a lot going on. Paderno is in a cluster of small towns which are literally within walking (more realistically biking) distance of one another. I really liked this setting because I felt completely safe and I found the people to be extremely friendly. (If you ever go, please say hello to Liliana the owner of one of the small grocery stores in town and Madalina a bartender/waitress at the Hotel Bar.)
The campus is pretty much fully equipped with a computer lab with printing capabilities and even a recreational facility you are free to use if you plan on working out. It is important to understand that while there are probably 30 computers available for students to use whenever they choose, the computer lab is still often full, so if you are worried about this you might consider bringing your laptop with you.
One of the things I most looked forward to about going to Italy was the food. While the food was not EXACTLY what I thought it would be, traditional Italian food is outstanding and one of the highlights of my trip. The cafeteria on campus served 3 meals a day while classes were in session. These meals, while pretty good for the most part, would get old from time to time (pasta is served as part of every meal) so occasionally some friends and I would go grab some pizza from the pizzeria in town or get a Panini from the tabacchi about 200 feet from the dorms.
The dorms you are assigned to are quite nice and in many ways much better than the dorms here on campus at K-State. Each dorm room has a closet for each person and a full bathroom with a toilet and shower. Additionally, once a week they have maids come and completely clean the room for you.
Another valuable thing the program provides is laundry service. In Europe, the price of utilities and specifically water are very high, and doing a load of laundry at a Laundromat may cost you $10. The program allows you to wash and dry one load of laundry each week you are there. It is very important that you sign up to use a washer and dryer as far in advance as you can, as everyone begins to run out of clean clothes at about the same time and if you want clean clothes you will end up having to do your laundry at 2 or 3 in the morning.
Cultural Differences
The Italian culture is very different from the culture that we live in here in America. For the most part, the pace that they live their lives seems to be slower than that of ours. Nobody ever seems to be in a hurry or late for anything important.
Like most countries throughout the world, Italians speak basic English and are fairly accepting of those who use only English. Many of them are very shy though and are not confident in their ability to speak English so don’t communicate very well. Be prepared to face language barriers to various degrees throughout your time overseas. This is part of what makes the whole experience fun and rewarding, being able to get what you want in a place where you can understand no one and vice versa.
One thing I really noticed about the Italian people is that they are very well dressed. For the most part, I was always underdressed in Europe and sometimes almost to the point where I was embarrassed. They wear no shorts and almost always are wearing nice jeans and a nice top or even fancier than that. It was not uncommon to see the Italian students my age out at night wearing a tie, blazer, and pair of loafers.
Traveling to, from, and around Europe
Undoubtedly one of the biggest expenses of traveling across the Atlantic to study in Europe is the plane ticket. The price will be pretty substantial no matter what but there are a few ways to cut back on it a little bit.
The first way is to begin looking early. The earlier you book your flight, for sure the more affordable it will be. Make sure to check all of the discount travel websites (Travelocity, Expedia, etc.) and find the best deal. Oftentimes, by tinkering the dates of your flight by a day or two, the price of the flight can change by $100 or more, so be as flexible as possible to ensure that your flight is as cheap as possible.
Another option you have is to fly into a large European airport and then take a European discount airline to your final destination. Venice is the most ideal airport to fly into if you are going to participate in the CIMBA Program, and Venice also happens to be a relatively small airport which is more costly to fly to. A friend of mine in the program chose instead to fly from the United States to London and then booked a separate flight using a discount airline from London to Venice. This saved him about $350, but it is important to remember that this can add a lot of stress to your travels and I wouldn’t recommend doing this unless you are very comfortable with international travel or are traveling with a group of people.
When traveling from one European location to another you have a few things to consider. One is the mode of transportation you will use. Europeans are big on public transportation and have a pretty elaborate train and bus system throughout. Another option you have is to fly these budget airlines from place to place. For these, I recommend using Easyjet.com or Ryanair.com to find flights. If you book a month or so in advance, it is possible to have flights to and from many destinations throughout Europe for 10 Euros or less (roughly $13 or less).
What to see and do
As I previously stated, Paderno is a small town in a rural-type area, but there is still much to do and see in the area. The CIMBA program organizes trips to see different things throughout the region pretty much daily. All you have to do is just sign up for them and you can ride a bus there for free.
A couple of the day trips I went on that I really enjoyed was the Mount Grappa trip and the trip to Bassano del Grappa. Mount Grappa is the tallest of 3 mountains which can be seen from campus and about once a week the program organizes a bus to take people to the top of the mountain. It is absolutely breathtaking from the top and as beautiful of a sight as I’ve ever seen in my life.
The Bassano trip is one that is relaxing as well as historical. Bassano played a big role in World War II and there is a memorial there which is very interesting to see. It is also nice to get away from campus and school and walk around the ancient town and have gelato or coffee with friends while enjoying the scenery.
The CIMBA program is set up to allow students to travel on weekends. Classes are over by noon on Thursdays which allow for everyone to travel Thursday night and have all day Friday and Saturday in the destination of their choosing. Some of the popular places people went to included Rome, Venice, Florence, Barcelona, Munich, and Prague. I also knew some people who flew to the island of Malta off the Italian coast and stayed the weekend at an all inclusive exotic resort there. The possibilities truly are endless.
One final tip about European travel is about hostels. Hostels are places where young travelers commonly stay when they are traveling about. It is pretty important that you research your hostels before you decide to book them. There are good hostels and there are shady hostels, and you do not want to be stuck in a shady, dirty hostel. When I traveled I used to book all of my hostels and paid close attention to the ratings and comments of those who have stayed at them in the past. Also pay close attention to where the hostels are located and if they are easy to find. Paying more for a safe hostel in a good location is definitely worth it.
Conclusion
All in all, study abroad is an amazing, once in a lifetime experience that is beneficial in a multitude of ways. I recommend that everyone do it because it gives them something they will always cherish and remember. It is an opportunity to see parts of the world you may never see otherwise and also an opportunity to meet and network with people with different backgrounds and from different walks of life.