SPAGHETTI CACIO E PEPE
Business Courses
MBA spring break 2022
The #MBA class kicked off to a flying start with a talk by Egidio Chini from the #FratelliChini Gold jewelry manufacturers whose advice to the students was "don't just look at the final number on the balance sheet, the most important thing is how we reach that number, through quality and care”. After this inspiring talk with the local businessman, Egidio Chini, the students moved out of class, bound to…@vestri_official and visited their #ChocolateFactory, tasting the different flavours of this foody business. Daniele Vestri, chocolate maker, showed the MBA students his award winning chocolate and let them eat it too! He also told us about the importance of having the entire production chain under the company's direct supervision, from the cocoa plantation in the Dominican Republic to the chocolate workshop in Arezzo that creates delights such as chocolate with chili peppers, chocolate coated pistachios and salt and sesame seed chocolate bars. When studying becomes a sweet matter.
Spring 2020
OUA at Pitti-Bimbo fashion exhibit
In spring 2020, OU Price College of Business students were at #ouinarezzo and took periodic class trips to companies and organizations in Italy with program leader, Professor Natasha Bennett. Their first trip was to Pitti-Bimbo, an exhibit featuring vendors who work in the children's fashion and clothing industry. They spent a few hours at the Pitti-Bimbo exhibit weaving in and out all of the children’s clothing vendors. It was a massive exhibit with everything related to children’s clothes and accessories, from Armani to local and organic. Next, they explored Florence and, of course, enjoyed some gelato at Venchi! Student Athena said, “It was a fantastic way to learn more about children’s fashion merchandising and I definitely learned there is such a huge market for children’s clothing that I had no idea existed!”
February 7, 2020
I didn't even know it existed
It was a great day to be an #ouasooner! @oupricecollege is at #ouinarezzo this semester and they take periodic trips around #Italy. Today they visited Assisi, a beautiful hill-top town in central Italy’s Umbria region. Student Brandon said, “You know... before going to Assisi I didn’t even know it existed, but it’s actually a cool place. It’s got a church, great views and tasty gelato.” #ouaspring20 #featurefriday
By: Dr. Krish Murlidhar
Price College of Business, Spring 2019
The Marketing & Supply Chain Management department in the Price College has offered a semester abroad program for their students in Arezzo, Italy since Spring 2017. The primary objective was to offer Marketing & Supply Chain students the experience of living, studying, and working in a foreign country. From Spring 2018, the program was extended to all Price College majors with a Marketing minor in Arezzo. Students who participate in this offering can complete all the requirements for the Marketing minor during their semester in Arezzo. The program is taught by two full time faculty members from Price College.
The students were also required to participate in an internship with an Italian company in Arezzo and they received three hours of academic credit for satisfactorily completing the internship. The feedback received from the internship organizations indicates that our students also left a positive impression on them and
the students indicated that they truly enjoyed their time in Arezzo and gained a unique professional experience through their internships.
April 19, 2019
A unique experience at pagani
@oupricecollege #ouasooners went on a day trip today to continue learning about their field in Italy. The first thing they experienced was the Pagani Factory, so it was a tour where they learned about car manufacturing from start to finish. The students were able to explore different models of cars and see the assembly line process. The second visit was to the Giuseppe Giusti museum where they learned about the production of their award-winning balsamic vinegar and they tasted it, some of which was 100 years old. Student Kennedy said she enjoyed the day and “both places were really interesting and interactive, so we got to ask a lot of questions.” The @oupriceabroad program in Arezzo is a truly unique experience!
March 7, 2019
Price students assist designer in milan
Two OUA students had the privilege of working at Milan Fashion Week! Kasey Ostermann and Kate Pruitt spent a week in Milan with Italian designer Francesca Liberatore. They worked alongside the production manager assisting with model castings the first day, model fittings the next two days, followed by runway preparation, and finally ending their week working at a full-on fashion show! Kasey said, “It was one of the greatest but craziest experiences of our lives!!” Congratulations to these talented students. Your OUA family is very proud of you!
March 1, 2019
Price College at "eataly"
@oupricecollege students took another trip yesterday and today to Bologna to visit the “Eataly” headquarters and tour the city. Student Kennedy says, “Visiting these places allows us to develop professionally because we are meeting with people from so many companies and getting a better understanding of the business world globally, which will prepare us for our future careers.”
Spring 2022 – Experiences/Reflections/Memories
By Professor Dan Ostas
My 33 years as a university professor has afforded me multiple opportunities to teach abroad. I have never witnessed a more professional or competent administration and staff as Arezzo Spring 2022. Everything was handled with ease, aplomb, and more than a touch of class.
I find undergraduate teaching in Norman quite fulfilling. What could be better than an opportunity to touch young minds? But study abroad provides a unique opportunity to get to know young people on a much wider and deeper level with learning flowing both directions. Shared meals, field trips, and unhurried conversations enables one to reach across the generational divide and truly appreciate students as fascinating young adults, simultaneously complete with worries and thrilled with the excitement of youth. My memories of Arezzo 2022 include shared experiences with some truly amazing and inspiring young people.
There may be places on earth as delightful as Tuscany, but I suspect there is no place more delightful. The gentle earth tones within Arezzo’s center town walls envelop one in a subtle beauty. The sense of community among the Arezzo’s citizen is palpable as they promenade along Corso Italia. One sees few withdrawn cell phones as townsfolk seek out and engage well-known faces. Arezzo’s community provides a visceral experience that can affect what one’s values—an effect that can last a lifetime.
As wonderful as Arezzo is, the fact that it enables an easy train ride to the history, art, and culture of Florence and Rome is truly exceptional. Who can resist a weekly visit to Uffizi and other Florentine delights guided by a charming renaissance expert? And the students earn college credit to do so! Rome, of course, speaks for itself. There are reasons U.S. visitors seek out Paris, London, and Rome. Why not visit the best Europe has to offer?
I suspect that each student will treasure their experiences during Arezzo Spring 2022. Perhaps my course in Ethics and Business nudged the world view and prompted some critical thinking with at least a few students. I like to think so. I know that several of my students affected me. I will not soon forget them. Nor will I forget Arezzo.