Senior Lecturer Judson Jahn and Clinical Assistant Professor John Ledbetter guided 31 Clemson students on this summer’s study abroad to Rome. Three courses were offered: legal environment of business, financial accounting concepts, and global business negotiation. Students completed the initial part of the courses online and finished the courses at the Pantheon Institute in Rome.
Classes met on weekday mornings and early afternoons, leaving the remainder of students’ time for study, sightseeing, and group activities. Group activities included orientation walking tours, an Italian culture and language crash course, a walking tour of historically notable Roman attractions, an Italian cooking class, and a rooftop pizza party. One day, class times were rescheduled to provide students an opportunity to experience a Papal Audience in Vatican City. Students also took a three day tour of Tuscany, visiting the cities of Pienza, Orvieto, and Montepulciano, which included a business tour of the Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano wine cellar.
Students enjoyed several professional development opportunities during their time abroad. Dean Wendy York accompanied students for part of the trip and delivered a helpful and insightful presentation on dealing with stress. Clemson alum Giovanna di Bicarri, now an Italian TV and entertainment personality and entrepreneur, shared her experiences and suggestions for doing business in Italy. Students visited Cristo Re Hospital in Rome and learned about their unique business strategy for serving the tourism and study abroad markets. During their time in Tuscany, students also heard suggestions on career planning and development from Andora Fess, Clemson alumna and current graduate student at the London School of Economics (and Dean York’s daughter).
Students developed several useful life skills over the course of the Rome study abroad, in addition to learning important law, accounting, and negotiation concepts. They arranged and negotiated individual travel to and from Rome, demonstrated daily living skills (including shopping, cooking, and cleaning) in a foreign country with an unfamiliar language, and developed an appreciation for Italian culture and business customs.
Student Lillian Holder was one of the students who participated in this summer’s study abroad in Rome. Holder praised the guidance of Jahn and Ledbetter who went beyond teaching in the classroom to show the students a comprehensive view of Italy and international business while also encouraging students to navigate life in a foreign country. Holder also appreciated the visit from Dean York. She recalls the unique opportunity to get to know Dean York and gain new perspectives from her. Holder particularly enjoyed Dean York’s discussions regarding stress management in life and leadership. Upon finishing the program, Holder was pleased to have built relationships with students from multiple different backgrounds and majors. Holder reflects that “experiencing life in Italy for a month was a privilege that I will treasure for the rest of my life. I am thankful that I took the leap to study through the Pam Hendrix Center for Education Abroad at Clemson!”
