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Summer in Rome

Group of Ivy student and faculty pose in front of the Roman Colosseum.
Pictured above: A group of Ivy students and faculty pose in front of the Colosseum, a historical landmark in Rome’s city center.

As seen in the fall 2024 Ivy magazine.

The Ivy Summer in Rome program is a collaborative effort between the Ivy College of Business and the Iowa State University College of Design. Over the summer, 32 students and five faculty members traveled to Italy for a blend of in-class learning, visits to local businesses, and cultural activities showcasing Italy’s history, art, and cuisine. During the six-week program, students completed coursework taught by Ivy faculty at the College of Design facility located in the heart of Rome. Courses were offered in accounting, finance, management, management information systems, and supply chain management.

Here are some highlights from a few who attended.

Chloe Rhoads

Sophomore from Grimes, Iowa
Majors: supply chain management and management

“I went on this trip because I thought it would be fun and interesting to travel abroad and experience another country’s culture. The most meaningful part of studying in Rome was developing relationships with my professors and other students. I would recommend everyone to study abroad. You get the chance to experience local foods and historical landmarks, along with weekend trips to see other parts of Italy. The business trips we took with the school helped me recognize the differences between how businesses run internationally.”

Bree Severn

Senior from Glenwood, Iowa
Majors: marketing, management, with a professional sales certificate

“I loved that this experience was faculty-led and that I would have the opportunity to connect with other Iowa State students. Rome was the ideal home base because of the dense culture and unique historical sites to explore. I recommend any Ivy student to study abroad whenever you have the opportunity. A study abroad experience truly does broaden your horizons and changes your outlook on the world. From my experience, it’s a time for character development and allows for growth in independence. Ivy students will learn so much about themselves and the culture around them while studying abroad. It is also a way to grow outside your comfort zone and push the boundaries you did not know you held yourself to.”

 

Top: Ivy faculty members: Peter Ralston, Chris Moon, Lingyao (Ivy) Yuan, Marc Anderson, and Bruce Kraft. Center/left: Bree Severn (third from left). Bottom/right: Chloe Rhoads (right).

Preston Wojcik

Junior from Ankeny, Iowa
Majors: actuarial science and finance
Preston Wojcik cooking pasta in Rome “I completed two classes while fully participating and enjoying Italian culture. Every day brought new opportunities through tours and group activities, deepening my understanding of Italy and fostering valuable connections with fellow Iowa State business students. A highlight of the program was the series of company visits, which included Ferrari, Pagani, a parmesan cheese factory, and more. These visits provided great insights into international business practices and were instrumental in broadening my perspective.”

Audrey Sease

Junior from Cottage Grove, Minnesota
Majors: marketing and supply chain management

Audrey Sease (left) pictured with friend.“I chose to study in Rome for six weeks because I always knew I wanted to study abroad, and this program offered the perfect opportunity. I was looking for a structured, short-term experience to provide support so I wasn’t alone. The experience taught me invaluable lessons about other cultures and myself that I would never have gained without participating in this program. The insights and personal growth I achieved are priceless and will stay with me forever. I recommend this to other business students.”

Bruce Kraft

Professor of practice in finance
Taught Finance 301
He helps design the annual program and serves as program coordinator.

“We have a close working relationship with the College of Design. In addition to leveraging their classrooms, they assist us in scheduling business visits and cultural activities. This close relationship with the College of Design is priceless. For many students enrolled in the program, it’s the first time that they have traveled outside the United States. Recognizing this, we strive to make the transition as smooth as possible through group events and cultural activities. It might be overwhelming to them initially. Before long, they were exploring Rome, navigating public transportation to get to class and scheduling train tickets to explore Italy. Our goal is to create an inclusive environment for all students. We see students forming new friendships and looking out for one another. In addition, students and faculty participate together in all cultural activities and business visits which contributes to strong working relationships inside and outside the classroom.  It’s truly a rewarding experience for everyone involved.”

Joey Johnson

Senior from Des Moines, Iowa
Major: marketing with a professional sales certificate

“I went on the trip because I come from an Italian family and wanted to immerse myself in that culture. I would recommend it because it lets you experience other cultures and a different way of living.”

Chris Moon

Associate teaching professor

“International travel allows people to grow and learn by immersing themselves in a culture completely different from their own. I loved having small class sizes in this program, with only eight students in my class. We built relationships that would not be impossible in classes with 50 to 100 students.  The students nicknamed me Mama Roma, which was kind of fun!  Some of them were a little homesick. I was able to help fill something that was missing now and again by spending time with them, listening to their troubles, and offering advice.”

Peter Ralston

Director of Supply Chain Forum and associate professor of supply chain management (SCM)
Taught SCM 301

“I became involved in the 2024 Ivy in Rome program in order to help ensure students had a wide variety of class options during their time in Italy. I came away with a deep appreciation of Italian culture. I am most impressed with the students participating in the program, and how open they were to new experiences, and their ability to form close-knit relationships with each other and faculty. Without a doubt, the students formed a tight bond. I am hopeful they will look back on this time as one of academic learning, cultural appreciation, personal growth, and one of the best experiences in their lives made better by creating wonderful new relationships.”

Lingyao (Ivy) Yuan

Associate professor of information systems
Taught MIS 301

“With a class of six students, we were able to create a unique and intimate mentorship environment. MIS 301 is designed as a topic course to expose students to various technologies that facilitate business and decision-making processes. The small class size allowed me the flexibility to structure the curriculum around engaging discussions, where students were encouraged to deeply understand technology, formulate their own thoughts, and critically challenge the textbooks, their peers, and even the instructor. We developed a close-knit community and celebrated two students’ 20th birthdays with gelato. It added a personal and memorable touch to our time in Rome.”

Marc Anderson

Dean’s Fellow in Management and associate professor of management and entrepreneurship
Taught Management 371

“This was my second time teaching in Rome, and it was a fantastic experience. Until people truly experience another culture (and for more than a couple of days or a week), it’s very difficult to understand how different life can be from the U.S. in other parts of the world, both in positive and negative ways.”

Business is global

The Ivy College of Business International Programs Office is here to help students explore the world while taking courses that count toward the completion of their business degree.

January 13, 2025