CONESTOGA COLLEGE
Study trip immerses students in Italian tourism industry

"It's such a great opportunity for them to acquire global skills and competencies," said Mariam Raza, associate director of Global Initiatives and Partnership Development.

The 17 students were led by two Conestoga faculty members: Cora Roselli, Hospitality & Tourism professor, and Dan McCowan, executive chef at Bloom.

Study abroad trips have been a part of the School of Hospitality & Culinary Arts programs for many years. Currently, the Office of Global Initiatives offers short-term study abroad trips to all Conestoga students as an opportunity to explore different cultures and gain invaluable experiences. Students get a confidence boost and skills helpful during their job search after graduation, such as problem-solving and flexibility.

"Ultimately, the skills that you acquire as you travel and as you learn about other cultures, they're the same skills that our employers want," Raza said.

Last spring, students travelled to Costa Rica to learn about Indigenous communities and cultures.

The Italy itinerary included stays in Rome and Florence with lectures; visits to hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related businesses to learn about their operations; cooking classes; assignments and leisure time to explore the cities and historic sites.

"My study abroad experience in Italy opened my eyes to a new culture, deepened my understanding of global tourism and gave me hands-on insight into the dynamics of group travel. It was a journey that enriched both my personal and professional growth," said Katie Kraemer, a student in the Tourism - Destinations and Travel Management program.

While the focus was tourism, the trip was also a chance for students in any program to gain new perspectives on their discipline. 

Coleen Matulac, a Business Administration - Marketing student, said the marketing-related site visits and excursions provided valuable real-world context to classroom concepts.

"My favourite part of the trip was visiting Florence and experiencing the rich history, architecture and art firsthand. The guided tours through museums like the Uffizi and exploring iconic landmarks such as the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio really brought classroom learning to life. The opportunity to immerse myself in Italian culture, food, and daily life was incredibly enriching."

The trip also nurtured personal growth, Matulac added. "Navigating a new country, working in a group, and adapting to challenges helped strengthen my independence and problem-solving skills."

Early Childhood Education student Jillian Ropchan said: "My favourite part was being able to experience so many different things and meeting amazing people within the group that I was on the trip with."

Fellow travellers also appreciated the opportunity to get to know other Conestoga students as they experienced Italy together.

"I am very grateful for the opportunity to have gone on this trip. It was a wonderful time seeing a glimpse of Italy and the people, food and culture, while also making some good friends and new memories," said Karen Olivares, a student in the Fitness and Health Promotion program.

Prateek Chadha, a student in the Virtualization and Cloud Computing program, said the experience was one of the most memorable and enjoyable of his life. He appreciated getting to learn about the other students and their life experiences from different backgrounds, as well as learning about himself.

"My favourite part was the support and togetherness during the trip. I have a huge respect for Dan and Cora, they handled everything very smoothly and were excellent in managing everyone," he said. "I loved everything about the trip."

Conestoga's Global Initiatives office focuses on education abroad programming, academic and research partnerships and exchanges, as well as virtual and on-campus activities to help internationalize the Conestoga community and create new global opportunities that support student engagement and demand.