Group of business students study abroad in Italy

Trip gives students hands-on experiences, insight into international business

By California State University, Bakersfield

April 21^st, 2022

Making a living is not necessarily the same thing as making a life.

That’s one of the lessons that California State University, Bakersfield Professor Dr. David Olson has tried to impart on the 17 students from his international business course who he led on a trip to Italy last December.

“We do a really good job in America of making a living, making pretty good things quickly and efficiently. There’s a lot of profit we can get from that,” he said. “Italian business is great for making a life. There are very successful businesses that use their money to create things that last, things that people will enjoy forever.”

Students participating in the 10-day trip were able to travel through Florence, Rome, Bologna and other Italian cities, where they got to spend time talking to Italian business owners as well as visiting landmarks such as the Vatican, Bank of Italy, Gucci Garden and Antinori Winery.

While students were required to complete several assignments as part of the trip — including a journal, experience videos and book reviews —Dr. Olson said one of his main goals with the class was to give students hands-on experiences.

One such experience was when all the students visited a shop that specializes in leather goods. Not only did they get to speak to the owners about their experiences with running a business, but they also learned about how the shop makes their goods and even got to make their own belts.

“I wanted the students to have a different learning experience where they can apply the things they’ve learned about business in class and live out the things they’ve read about in a textbook,” Dr. Olson said. “They can take what they have learned and really see it coming to life in simple ways, very beautiful ways.”

One of the students who participated in the trip was Emily Fisher, who is pursuing a master’s degree in business administration. Fisher said they are interested in working in international business and said getting the opportunity to interact with small business owners in Italy was their favorite aspect of the visit.

“We got to really connect with the people who live there and understand more about how they run their businesses,” Fisher said. “You really get to understand the highs, the lows and what they’re going through.”

For fellow student Emmanuel Espanola, this was his first trip to Europe. He said he was excited to get the chance to experience the culture of Italy.

“Pictures really don’t do Italy justice. It was breathtaking,” he said.

Espanola’s favorite activity during the trip was a cooking class, in which the group of students worked together to cook a five-course Italian meal.

“I like to cook, but also I felt really immersed in the culture of Italy. We got to not only experience but taste Italian culture,” he said. “It was one of the first team-building activities we did, and it was really fun.”

Group of business students study abroad in Italy

A life-changing experience

Dr. Olson has led several groups of students on trips to Italy over the years. He hopes these experiences give students more self-confidence and a greater sense of clarity when it comes to what they want to do with their career.

“I want for students to recognize that they have a choice in how you’re going to live your life and what you’re going to do with it,” he said. “I want for them to take a step back and think about what works for them, what their purpose and values are and how those apply to a career.”

Dr. Olson added, half-jokingly, “If I’m not changing people’s lives, I’m disappointed.”

Fisher has a dream of starting an import/export business and said the trip helped convince them that this is the next step they want to take in their career.

“I got to make actual business contacts and talk to people about importing their goods as a result of coming on this trip,” Fisher said. “I came out of this experience being like ‘I can actually do this. I can make this happen. I’ve made concrete steps toward being able to start a business.’ I have an opportunity to help these small businesses while also getting to experience the world. That’s the best thing I could imagine.”

Fisher said the trip gave them a more practical understanding of business that goes beyond what they have learned from their business classes.

“One thing I appreciated about Italy was the idea that work is so much a part of your life, that it should be beautiful and it should be connected to everything in your life,” they said. “The richness of the experience is something that is very special, and I’ll always keep that with me.”

Espanola said the experience reinforced the importance of taking pride in your work and helped him realize that it’s okay not to feel rushed.

“These Italian businesses make sure whatever they sell or whatever they make is truly for the customer and their experience,” he said. “One thing I really took from this experience is the importance of taking the time to produce something you love, because then others will love that work and support you.”

Espanola, who is set to graduate this spring, said he encourages all business students at CSUB to take advantage of study abroad opportunities because it will be a transformative experience.

“I’ve been telling everyone I know that if they have opportunity to do this, they should take it,” he said. “I’m so appreciative of CSUB for offering this because I know I wouldn’t have been able to get this kind of experience had I done it on my own. It’s been the highlight of the MBA program for me.”

Dr. Olson said he plans to lead another trip to Italy during the fall 2022 semester. Before that, however, he is set to lead a trip to the United Kingdom this May.

In addition, fellow CSUB professor Dr. Lena Taub Robles will be leading a study abroad course in France this June thanks to a donation from the Dennis and Anne Beaver Foundation.