BUIES CREEK — Seventeen Campbell Business students recently returned from a 10-day study abroad trip across the middle section of Italy as part of the requirement for a course on entrepreneurship in Italy. Dr. Kate Lawrence and Dr. Mark Steckbeck accompanied the students on the trip, leading a series of seminars exploring the historic, economic, and cultural factors that shape today’s Italian small businesses in Florence, Rome, and Assisi.
“Our students engaged with the Italian culture on different levels,” said Dr. Lawrence. “They did the tourist thing, but they also interacted with Italians on a professional level, absorbing ideas and approaches to solving business problems in innovative unique ways.”
The group visited the Sciarada Industria Conciaria S.P.A. leather company, with the students witnessing firsthand how a handful of expert leather workers turned raw cowhide to beautiful suede that is sold to high end brands including Prada and Louis Vuitton. Students enjoyed cultural outings as well. In Assisi, students learned how medieval builders ‘recycled’ ancient Roman architectural elements such as columns and archways by reusing them to build town halls and churches. In Rome, students visited an amateur rugby club that is self-supporting by owning and operating a restaurant. Revenue from the restaurant fully supports the amateur rugby team and also supports local youth rugby teams and tournaments.
Campbell Business students explore, learn in Italy