2020 Spring GBG: A Tale of Cappuccinos and Coronavirus

A Tale of Cappuccinos and Coronavirus: Spring 2020 in Milan

By Keira Hook (CU Boulder Education Abroad Peer Advisor, 2019-2020) 

    Study abroad is supposed to be filled with adventure, and the unknown. For Spring 2020 students, it was more unexpected than they could have imagined. Andrew Stromberg (Global Buff, IES Milan Business in Italy - Spring 2020) recently shared tales of his shortened time abroad, his experience with coronavirus, and the lessons learned.

    No one in Andrew’s family had ever studied abroad before, but he wanted to experience culture shock. After researching program options that would help fulfill his business major, he settled on Milan, Italy. It seemed like the perfect option: a new culture, an interesting business environment, and lots of outdoor activities. 

Highlights of Andrew’s experience abroad included his classes at the IES center, and at Bocconi University in Milan, his daily walks around Milan, and his daily cappuccino. He also remembers with fondness a three-day snowboarding trip in the Italian Alps. 

    By late February, the coronavirus was spreading, and left Andrew wondering about the future of his study abroad experience. School was canceled, but businesses were still open and public transportation was still running in Milan. He described an atmosphere of uncertainty. He decided to take a break from the burgeoning situation and took an eleven mile hike to stunning Lake Como. 

Upon returning to Milan and learning the US State Department had raised its Travel Advisory to a Level 4 - Do Not Travel, he had contact with his CU program manager, and the next morning, February 29th, woke up to an email announcing his program cancellation, and a plane ticket purchased overnight by his parents. The flight was leaving that evening at 6pm, in less than twelve hours. He remembers being disappointed, but deciding to take advantage of his last day in Milan and wrote a “last day bucket list.” The day started at his favorite café to enjoy a cappuccino and croissant, and he went back to his favorite spots in Milan such as Park Sempione and the Duomo building. He picked up key souvenirs such as a postcard from Milan to add to his collection, and cappuccino cups to bring home to friends and family. Finally, he finished out his last day in Milan with an authentic Italian lunch, and a final gelato with friends. From then on, it was a whirlwind emotional goodbye to his host family, and an international flight back to Denver. Upon his return to Colorado, he self quarantined in a hotel for two weeks. 

    Even after its abrupt ending, Andrew has managed to keep ties to his study abroad experience. He continued taking his classes online, and received full credit for his semester. He has also remained in contact with his host family and friends from abroad. His host family had introduced him to an Italian friend who became his rock climbing partner, and they stay in touch through WhatsApp. He also kept in touch with other international students who were studying in Milan, and with his Italian professor.

    Though it was cut short, Andrew emphasized that despite the situation, he gives his experience “a 10/10 and would do it again”. In two months, he learned “an insane amount.” He explained that the experience taught him how differently people live their everyday lives in other cultures. For example, he learned that Italians never drink a cappuccino after 11am, have a different appreciation for meals and spending time with each other, and interact differently with strangers on the street.  “After going you finally realize what the phrase ‘culture shock’ really means. You can only learn through experience what the true essence of the phrase means… that was one of my takeaways.”

His advice for others interested in studying abroad? Even if they are scared, they should absolutely go abroad, as it is “life-changing.” “There are so many small stories that are so memorable. You’ll walk away from it with a different perspective of the world,” he explained.

Andrew now wants to go back, but more than that, he wants to explore the world. “I think it definitely sparked a little wanderlust in me,” he remarked, laughingly. He is getting a Global Business certificate from the Leeds School of Business, with the hopes of working abroad in the future.









Photos by Andrew Stromberg - Spring 2020 - Italy
 

The Global Buffs Gazette: Spring 2020 - News for CU Boulder Education Abroad Alumni

?Last Updated June 2020