An Overview of My CIMBA Undergraduate Experience
The date was May 17th, 2022. I can still remember what it was like stepping onto my first flight alone. I knew I had a layover in Minneapolis, another in Paris, and then I would arrive in Venice. After that, I then had to catch a bus, a train, and a taxi so I can end up in a foreign land known as Paderno del Grappa. It was in Paderno that I knew I would be spending a month and a half of my summer at the CIMBA Italy campus. When I got out of my taxi and walked through the CIMBA front gate, I couldn’t help but think about all that was to come. I looked up at the peaks of Monte Grappa and I knew that this was my opportunity to figure out who I was and who I could become. Although it was jarring to not know anyone in the program prior to arrival, I found myself adapting as I took on the roles of a CIMBA blog ambassador and resident assistant. Through these jobs, I quickly made many new connections, friends, and travel buddies.
What I loved about the undergraduate program was its emphasis on internal and external exploration. Internally, students were prompted to reflect on their experience and seize any opportunity to step out of their comfort zone to achieve personal growth. Then, through frequent class field trips, extended travel weekends, and CIMBA sponsored extracurricular activities, I became familiar with the world around me. It was during this time that I stayed at a horse stable resort in the countryside of Tuscany, solo traveled for the first time to Rome and Capri, admired the street fashion from the top of the Duomo di Milano, climbed up the Eiffel Tower and saw the Mona Lisa in the Louvre on 3 hours of sleep, and strolled along the winding waterways of Venice. As I embraced the laid-back Italian culture and gazed upon the masterpieces of so many famous artists and storytellers during that CIMBA summer, I found myself living in the present at every single moment for the first time in my life.
An overview of My CIMBA MBA Experience
After I completed my undergraduate studies in the month of June with CIMBA, I flew back to my home in the United States. Just 3 short months later, I hopped on another plane for round two of CIMBA – this time as an MBA candidate. I remember how strange it seemed to return to the CIMBA dorms so soon. I made it a priority to take some time to myself and walk around Paderno so I could reflect upon all the phenomenal memories the CIMBA campus now holds in my mind. At the end of my walk as I climbed up the stairs to the 3rd floor and gazed upon CIMBA’s notorious blue wall I wondered what new stories I will create.
The MBA experience is like nothing I have ever experienced before. Just when I thought the undergraduate program was busy, I dived into the intense nature that is the CIMBA MBA. What distinguishes the CIMBA MBA from most is its emphasis on personal development alongside the application of technical skills. Many of the MBA extracurricular training s use neuroscience research and techniques These trainings paired with a rigorous course schedule pushed me in a way that I have never been pushed before. After I had went through CIMBA’S LIFE, PSDM, and Low Ropes trainings/courses, I started to further understand my thought patterns, strengths, weaknesses, and how my body reacts under a high-pressure, stressful environment. Knowing this information not only helped me gain confidence in my strengths but also prompted me to find innovative ways to improve upon my weaknesses.
How the CIMBA Undergraduate and MBA Experience Compare
I am grateful to say I have seen both sides of CIMBA because it is something that only a select few have an opportunity to experience. Although it is difficult to fully compare the two CIMBA programs because each one holds their own special place in my heart, I have noticed a few distinct similarities and differences. For me personally, the biggest difference was the mindset I had going into each program. During my undergraduate experience, I saw that time in my life as an opportunity to take things slow and get to know myself better as I traveled. I went into it knowing that it was temporary while also having the reassurance that I would be back. With the MBA program, on the other hand, I went into it with a sense of security because I had already been familiar with CIMBA and its teaching methods.
The challenge when it comes to mindset for me personally in the MBA was establishing where I fit into the CIMBA MBA community. Coming into the MBA as a female of color and the youngest of the MBA group presented initial challenges as I navigated where I belonged in this new environment. Although overcoming this mindset was difficult at the beginning, I soon adapted quickly to the situation by using reappraisal to switch my mindset. Rather than perceiving my unique background and age as a weakness, I instead flipped the script and recognized my qualities provide me with a view of the world that many others may not have. I can then use this unique view to critical think my way through independent work and create innovative ideas in a team setting. It was this mindset shift that ultimately made me decide that I belong here in the CIMBA community.
Looking Ahead As I Continue My Journey with CIMBA
I do not know exactly where in the world I will end up after I graduate with my MBA in Iowa City. However, after reflecting upon my time here, I know that I can have the reassurance that I made the right choice by choosing CIMBA. Both the undergraduate and MBA programs are admittedly intense and fast-paced. However, it is through these times of pressure that I have personally seen the most growth results in my life. I truly believe that CIMBA may have a method to their madness because their unconventional teaching methods have helped me grow as a business professional, student, and a person. Overall, I have learned so much through my unique CIMBA experience, and I am so excited to see how much more I can learn about myself and the world around me as I continue my CIMBA journey.
Jaiden Goodman, MBA Class of 2023