What better way to end your master’s program than a trip to Italy? Only this trip isn't just for fun.
Fueled by a passion for sustainable businesses, fresh tortelli pasta, and Lavazza coffee, 14 graduate students spent a week traversing across Italy to learn about sustainability from top Italian companies.
The trip is a part of MBA program’s international summer course, where students and alumni have the opportunity to travel and experience new businesses and cultures. “The course is great for students to find out more about doing business internationally,’ says Lisa Davis, executive director of the office of graduate student services at the Lee Business School.
These international trips embrace the dynamic and global business environment, allowing students to see the principles they learn in the classroom come to life through business visits and immerse cultural activities excursions.
Seizing Opportunities with the UNLV MBA Program
Going to Italy isn’t the only perk of UNLV’s MBA program. The program is designed to be the best of both worlds — a hybrid, part-time program that gives students the flexibility to earn their MBA while still working full-time. With consistent rankings in the top 100 by U.S. News and World Report and an average tuition-income return on interest of 450%, the UNLV MBA program ensures that students can receive a top tier education without putting their careers on hold.
During their Italy trip, graduate students visited several businesses across three cities to learn the ins and outs of their operations. These businesses represented a variety of industries — from Azienda Agricola e Agrituristica Cavazzone, a family owned balsamic vinegar producer that goes back centuries to Green Pea, a modern multistory retail park built in 2020. The locations, fields, and business practices all varied, but the students noticed one common thread: Businesses that embrace sustainability not only enrich the environment but also uplift the communities they serve.
Exploring Italy's Sustainable Business Practices
Students, like Rita Linares A., found inspiration in Italian businesses that prioritize community well-being over profit-driven motives. This experience underscored the MBA program's emphasis on sustainability, which permeates various areas of business education and is championed by UNLV faculty.
Linares A. said, “I realized that these businesses exist to satisfy the needs of the people of the city, and not to create a big business that just supplies products to consumers. I very much enjoyed the commitment and passion each of these companies have for what they do and for sustainability.”
Students learned that eco-friendly practices and profitability are not mutually exclusive. “Sustainability touches so many areas of business,” explains Davis.
"This is a rather odd statement to make considering I just finished a masters degree in business, but I cannot help but believe there is so much more to life (and business) than extracting every last penny of profitability.
"Across each of the cities we visited, Italians still respect and value their long-standing cultural touch points, but they’re changing their approaches based on the new realities forced by climate change and the new values on the environment, social justice and corporate governance."
— Jordan Chapman, MBA
Contributing to a Sustainable Future
The MBA program at UNLV prepares students to succeed in today's business environment by providing them with the needed skills, knowledge, and tools to become visionary and creative leaders.
The UNLV MBA program's trip to Italy exemplifies how the program offers more than just classroom theory. Students have various opportunities to expand their professional networks, engage with Las Vegas and international industries, and contribute to UNLV’s status as “Most Diverse Campus in the U.S."
As they move forward, graduates are poised to be leaders and change-makers in their industries. Graduates understand that profit is just one piece of the puzzle, and that respecting cultural heritage and safeguarding the environment are vital ingredients for success. With Italy's timeless traditions as their inspiration, they are ready to steer businesses towards sustainability.
