Italy: James Pease (Learning on Excursions)
Program: IES Milan Business Studies, Fall
Shortly after arriving in Milan and a couple of days into the program, we split into groups to visit the Duomo, a cathedral and national monument overlooking the main city square in central Milan. This excursion stood out to me not only because of the amazing cathedral that took over 600 years to build, but also because of the rich history behind it, as well as the surrounding historical buildings that are easy to overlook. We started in the city square and were guided through and around the area by our program director, who was born and raised in Milan. We visited many historical churches, banks, and monuments that displayed the rich history of Milan. Embedded in these buildings were the roots of the Italian national identity, such as breaking away from Spanish rule and the families that transformed Milan into the business capital of Italy.
This experience marked the start of my journey learning about the deep history of Milan and Italy. This ties into the culture and cuisine course I started earlier this week, where I discovered that Italy hasn’t always been the “Italy” that we imagine today. In the eighteenth century, Italy was regarded as a country with poor food and poor people, contrary to what we believe today. Subverting my prior beliefs has been my biggest surprise so far, and I have been in Milan for less than four total weeks, making the next three months extremely exciting to look forward to.
James Pease
Program Name: IES Milan Business Studies
Major: Personal Finance, Economics, & Certificate in History
Hometown: Chagrin Falls, OH
Being a recipient of the Global Gateway Fellowship is an honor and a blessing, and it helps remove a barrier that makes a once-in-a-lifetime experience come true. Beyond funding, receiving this fellowship also represents the hard work behind my academic work and gives me a platform to share my experiences.
One key goal I have during my time in Milan is to step outside of my comfort zone as much as possible. I can do so through courses and a part-time internship to gain insight into a more global perspective. Additionally, I hope to build relationships with peers and professionals internationally to expand my knowledge and hear new perspectives.
I am most looking forward to learning about the lifestyle and work culture in Milan, and more broadly, Italy and Europe. During my studies, I look forward to understanding how the city operates and what a day, week, and month look like as a student, professional, and person in Italy.