Voices from Abroad: Elena Piemonte
New York, NY (USA), Campus Abroad, R. F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Services
Stockholm (Sweden), CEMS, Stockholm School of Economics
Toronto, ON (Canada), Exchange Program, Schulich Business School
 CN Tower in Toronto |
Since my Bachelor Degree in International Economics and Management, I have taken every opportunity the university offered to make my academic curriculum look as international as possible.
In the last five years, I have indeed spent lots of time abroad, growing my friendship network and living experiences that changed me in many respects. These months away from any familiar places and contacts boosted my sense of independence more than the choice of leaving my hometown at the beginning of the university ever did. In addition, it contributed to shaping my ability to easily and comfortably adapt in different circumstances.
I approached the North American culture and its different teaching style though a Bachelor Exchange semester in Toronto and a summer month spent in New York as a student of the "Campus Abroad Program". Most recently I left Italy to start my semester abroad in Sweden as a CEMS student. CEMS is an international alliance of the top universities in the world that trains students in developing the international management skills they will need in their future international career.
 New York City's Central Park |
The CEMS Exchange turned out to be a completely different experience from the one I lived as a Bachelor student in Canada. I am, however, very glad to have had the opportunity to experience both since they introduced me to two very different realities. Whereas Toronto is a big multicultural metropolis, very similar to New York, Stockholm is a quieter city with a strong European character that makes it extremely easy for everyone to feel immediately part of it. In Canada I also, had the chance to spend four months in a typical university campus one hour far from downtown. Only in Stockholm, however, I really got to know the culture of the country I was living in. My apartment and the university were, indeed, in the city center. Studying at the public library and doing my grocery shopping at the small shop on the corner were daily activities that helped me to formulate a deeper understanding of the Swedish reality.
From an academic point of view, the level of the teaching of both the Schulich Business School in Toronto and the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE) was great. In both the universities all the classes were very international thus contributing with an interesting multicultural perspective to every lecture discussion. Everyone among the academic staff (professors, secretaries...) was very friendly and available to provide support and directions in case of need.
 Stockholm's Strandvägen |
As far as the social component of the experience is concerned, both universities had very active Exchange Committees prompt in organizing social events, theme dinners and trips around the country. In addition, at SSE, a variety of Student Associations offered entertaining activities (from extreme sports, to video game competitions) throughout the year that international students could join, thus mingling with the local students.
In addition to the many international friends I made in Canada and with whom I still keep regularly in touch, I recently enlarged my network with the other CEMS students I met in Stockholm. In particular, as a current CEMS student, I truly believe this group of incredibly motivated and stimulating students represented the best gain I received from this experience.
For all the students that believe in the need of an international experience to approach the job-market with a competitive curriculum and that want to challenge themselves as future businessmen in such a globalized world, I recommend to pack their luggage and take every available opportunity to travel around this so diversified and yet small world. The destination itself makes no particular difference as long as one approaches it with an open mind and the willingness to enrich his/her person with the different experiences of the people he/she will find along the way.