Italy, with its picturesque landscapes, historic architecture, and delicious food, draws around 60 million visitors each year. But for some, the trip is more than just a vacation—it's a transformative learning experience. Among those taking full advantage of Italy's cultural riches this summer are students from Northeastern University's D'Amore-McKim School of Business.
Each summer, hundreds of Northeastern University students participate in faculty-led programs known as Dialogues of Civilization. These programs are more than just study-abroad opportunities, — they're immersive experiences that tackle critical global issues while earning students academic credit. This year, D'Amore-McKim faculty members Jack Salerno and Mark Dockser led an Entrepreneurship and Global Consulting dialogue in Sicily, Italy, guiding 20 students through an unforgettable journey in May and June.
“The goal was to help students understand what it's like to live and work in Sicily, all while applying their skills as international marketers, consultants, and entrepreneurs,” explained Dockser.
During their time in Sicily, students didn't just observe, —they engaged deeply with the local community. They worked on innovative projects, forming teams to collaborate with local businesses. One team partnered with Archicart, a startup focused on sustainable architecture using cardboard, while another worked with Cerimache De Simone, a family-run company known for its handcrafted artistic ceramics. Other teams took on marketing projects for three 200-year-old wine producers. These efforts culminated in presentations to company representatives, complete with detailed reports offering insights and recommendations.
Salerno, emphasized the hands-on nature of the experience. “Innovation was at the heart of these projects,” he said, noting how students were able to apply their classroom knowledge in real-world settings.
The learning didn't stop with business projects. Students also had the chance to meet prominent figures like Adolfo Urso, Italy's Minister for Economic Development, and Enrico Tarantino, the Mayor of Catania, who gave them a personal tour of the city hall. The group traveled through several cities, including Catania, Palermo, Marsala, Taormina, and Syracuse, and even spent a weekend on the island of Favignana, enriching their cultural and academic experience even further.
For Chloe Moreno, DMSB'27, a business administration major concentrating in finance and corporate innovation, the experience extended beyond the Dialogue program. She stayed in Italy to work on a personal research project, funded by the John Martinson Honors Program. Her project, titled “Comparative Examination of Medici Patronage and Its Contemporary Analogs,” explores the Medici family's influence during the Renaissance, particularly in terms of economic innovation. Moreno aims to draw parallels between historical patronage and today's tech industry, especially regarding AI, to understand the broader economic impacts of modern technological advancements.
“This project is my way of contributing original insights to the ongoing conversation about innovation and economic history,” Moreno said. “I'm excited to share my findings and connect with others who are passionate about these subjects.”
D'Amore-McKim promotes opportunities for students to learn across borders. Through these Dialogues, students not only enhance their academic knowledge but also develop the skills necessary to lead with impact in a rapidly changing world.