CIMBA Italy Program
- Take business courses in English that are pre-approved to transfer back to KU (engineering courses also offered in summer) on 4 week summer program or 12 week semester programs
- Live in beautiful Pieve del Grappa, an Italian village located at the base of the Italian Alps (an hour from Venice)
- Explore Italy and Europe during built-in travel breaks
- Participate in cultural activities like pizza and pasta making, company tours, gourmet dinners, and more
- Grow personally and professionally through CIMBA's unique leadership development program offered on semester programs
- View the Further Reading section for details about how to apply through both KU Study Abroad and CIMBA
CIMBA, a consortium of universities from across the US, is widely-recognized for its business and leadership-oriented semester and summer study abroad programs. Led by the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business (AACSB accredited), CIMBA offers rigorous, high quality, professional courses taught in English. In addition to business courses, CIMBA also offers engineering and several elective courses during its 4-week summer program. Programs are designed to provide students with a meaningful international experience while allowing them to remain on track for graduation. Students and faculty are drawn from consortium member universities such as the University of Iowa, University of Kansas, University of Colorado, University of Nebraska, University of Delaware and many more.
A CIMBA education goes beyond traditional classroom content. Seminars in European culture, international relations and etiquette are integral components of the CIMBA program. Likewise, a variety of guest speakers provide students with the opportunity to network with international and commercial leaders. Students have the opportunity to participate in cultural cooking classes, art tours, musical events, presentations on international business and living and working abroad. Tours of local companies also are a valuable feature of every program that offer students the opportunity to expand their cultural and professional network.
CIMBA also offers optional leadership and certificate programs to enhance student's skills and resumes while abroad during semester programs. It is at the very forefront of its field, using the newest advancements in neuroscience and technology to enhance personal and professional development. Students are given the opportunity to participate in and earn certification for this executive-level training.
Important Dates:
Spring 2025 Calendar:
1/19: Depart for Italy
1/20: Arrive on campus, orientations begin
1/21: CIMBA classes begin
2/7-2/9: Extended travel weekend
3/1-3-9: Spring break travel week
3/28-3/30: Extended travel weekend
4/11: Finals and checkout
4/12: Fly home
Please note: CIMBA offers free transportation to campus if you arrive by 2pm on the program start date. Activities are planned the first two weekends of the program - please don't book trips for those dates. You'll have finals until the afternoon of the final Friday of the program; don't book a flight home until after 5pm that day, or the next morning.
Summer 2025 Calendar:
5/18: Depart for Italy
5/19: Arrive on campus; orientations begin
5/24-5/25: Travel weekend
5/30-6/1: Extended travel weekend
6/6-6/8: Extended travel weekend
6/13: Depart from campus- Ciao for now!
Please note: CIMBA offers free transportation to campus if you arrive by 2pm on the program start date. Final exams go until the afternoon of the final Friday of the program; return flight home should depart at 5pm or later on Friday or on Saturday morning.
Fall 2025 Calendar:
9/14: Depart for Italy
9/15: Arrive on campus, orientations begin
9/16: CIMBA Cultural Advantage Program and classes begin
10/9-10/12: Extended travel weekend
10/25-11/2: Fall Break travel week
11/27-11/30: Extended travel weekend
12/5: Depart from campus- Ciao for now!
Please note: CIMBA offers free transportation to campus if you arrive by 2pm on the program start date. Activities are planned the first two weekends of the program - please don't book trips for those dates. You'll have finals until the afternoon of the final Friday of the program; don't book a flight home until after 5pm that day, or the next morning.
The campus is located in the picturesque town of Pieve del Grappa, Italy, at the base of the Dolomite Mountains, just 55 miles north of Venice. Winding, cobblestone streets, lush gardens, rolling hills and expansive villas characterize the region. CIMBA’s northern location offers easy access to explore Italy and the rest of Europe and the program offers a multitude of extended travel weekends and breaks to enhance learning outside the classroom. During the semester program, students receive over 25 days to travel independently.
Pieve is located just 45 minutes from one of Europe’s leading low-cost airlines in Treviso, the number one hub of Ryanair. Ryanair offers extremely affordable tickets with direct flights to Paris, Brussels, London, Dublin, Budapest, and many more cities. Students also can take overnight trains to Vienna or Munich.
Pieve del Grappa is in the heart of Italy’s Veneto Region, which is home to a powerful business community that boasts more than 450,000 companies. The region, with its major cities of Venice, Padua, Vicenza, Verona and Treviso, is home to prominent Italian-borne corporations that have become major exporters, including Benetton, Diesel, NorthFace, Tecnica, and more. CIMBA's location and long-standing networks gives students the opportunity to visit these international businesses through company tours.
Beyond the Veneto Region, students travel throughout Italy and absorb the rich history, culture and economics of Siena, Florence, Rome and more. Italy is home to one of the ten largest economies in the world, making it an ideal place to immerse oneself not only in art, politics, but also in international business.
CIMBA students enroll in 12-18 credits during semester programs and 6 credits during the summer program.
The CIMBA program is located on a gated campus with complete facilities. Students are housed in double-occupancy residence hall rooms with private baths. Single rooms are available for an additional fee. Housekeeping services are provided twice per week and include a change of towels and linens on a weekly basis. In addition to classrooms, the full-service facility includes a cafeteria, recreation room, laundry room, and athletic facilities including an indoor swimming pool, cardio and weight room, gymnasiums, and outdoor fields for tennis, basketball, and soccer. The CIMBA staff office is located on-campus and is accessible to all students. There is even a nurse on campus available to see students with minor injuries or sickness.
SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Study abroad is achievable for students of all identities including our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students, students with disabilities, and students with religious/non-religious viewpoints. Before selecting a program, consider how your identities may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process.
Check our Identity Abroad page and resources listed below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.
- 18 years or older
- Sophomore status and/or required prerequisites
- 2.5 GPA or higher (2.5-2.74 require steps)*
*If your GPA is below 2.75, you will also be asked to respond to a short-answer question explaining what contributed to the low grades, what your plan is for future success and how the CIMBA Italy program fits into this plan.
Program Cost for Fall Semester in CIMBA, Italy
Program Cost for Spring Semester in CIMBA, Italy
Program Cost for Summer in CIMBA, Italy
CIMBA offers several financial awards and leadership opportunities to help offset the cost of attending CIMBA. Visit www.cimbaitaly.com/undergraduate-study-abroad/financial-aid-scholarships to learn more.
To learn more about CIMBA, please schedule an appointment with Kate Gerken in KU Study Abroad.
Application Instructions:
Applicants must apply through both CIMBA/University of Iowa (CIMBA’s school-of-record) and KU Study Abroad by following the instructions below:
- Complete the CIMBA/University of Iowa application. CIMBA is currently accepting applications for Summer and Fall 2025. Once at the link, click “I am an undergraduate student at another university (non-University of Iowa)” and follow the instructions. Your application will be complete and ready for review once you have submitted the application, paid the $40 application fee, AND your transcript is received by CIMBA. To have an official KU transcript sent to CIMBA, visit www.registrar.ku.edu/order-transcript. Choose the electronic transcript option ($15) and enter “University of Iowa” and “Admissions Office” for the school and department you are sending your transcript to.
- Complete the KU CIMBA application by the KU application deadline. Once there, click “Apply Now” and login using your KU password and online ID (the same login used to access Enroll & Pay). Please note that there is no “Submit” button. Your application will be complete when all requirements have checkmarks next to them. You will be accepted by KU Study Abroad after the KU application deadline provided that your application is complete, your cumulative GPA is 2.5 or above, and once you have been accepted by CIMBA/University of Iowa.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SUMMER APPLICANTS:
The summer CIMBA/University of Iowa application (step #1 above) is open and early applications are encouraged because there are a limited number of spots available on the summer program. Summer applicants are being admitted on a rolling basis. Once the limit is reached, CIMBA will maintain a waitlist and students will be added to it in the order that applications are received.
The KU CIMBA application (step #2 above) must be completed by the KU CIMBA application deadline. Please note that KU typically opens its summer study abroad application cycle (for all programs) in late October/early November. If you start the application and the “Summer” term is not yet an available option, this is because KU has not yet opened the summer cycle. This is not a problem given that applicants can be admitted by CIMBA/University of Iowa prior to completing the KU CIMBA application.