In May, 20 students from the Maine Business School (MBS) traveled to the Amalfi Coast of Italy for an unforgettable travel study experience focused on tourism and hospitality. Led by Executive Dean Dr. Jason Harkins, the course brought classroom concepts to life through hands-on learning in one of the world’s most iconic travel destinations.
“Travel study experiences are some of the most powerful learning opportunities we offer our students,” says Dr. Harkins. “When you step outside the classroom and into a place like Italy, concepts become real. Business, culture, and history all come alive in ways that simply can’t be replicated on campus. These trips challenge students to think differently, adapt quickly, and engage with the world around them. After leading several of these trips, I’ve seen firsthand how transformative they can be, both academically and personally.”
The itinerary, developed in partnership with CIS Abroad and Sant’Anna University in Sorrento, struck a thoughtful balance between academic learning and cultural immersion. Throughout the week, students attended lectures on tourism, economics, and food marketing and participated in a cooking class, service-learning, and guided tours of Naples and Pompeii.
Industry Research
Before departing Maine, students spent the spring semester building a strong foundation through industry research. Each student team focused on a specific sector—hospitality, food and dining, wellness tourism, small craft producers, curated tours and experiences, and craft beverages—comparing the Campania region of Italy with Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island.
Students also engaged directly with Maine tourism leaders, including Chiara Moriconi from the Maine Office of Tourism, Cecil Gardner from the DownEast Acadia Tourism Region, and Everal Eaton of the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce. These conversations helped students better understand how tourism operates locally before analyzing it in a global context.
Each group presented its findings to peers prior to departure, creating a shared knowledge base that enriched the experience abroad.
Brendan Matos from Oxford, CT, learned about wellness tourism for this class. “I never really thought about the reasons behind people’s travel choices before,” he says. “The research we conducted before the trip made our trip to Italy so much better because we already had a sense of what we’d experience.”
As part of the course, students were required to keep a reflection journal throughout their time in Italy, reflecting on what they learned and how they thought about the differences between Italy and Maine.
“The experience journal is a critical part of the learning process on a travel study course,” Dr. Harkins says. “It pushes students to slow down and reflect in real time, capturing not just what they saw, but what it meant and how it connects to what they’re learning academically. That daily reflection helps turn experiences into lasting knowledge.”
Viva Italia
For some students, the trip marked their first time traveling abroad—adding an extra layer of excitement and discovery.
“When I first heard of a trip to Italy, I was determined to go,” says Mia Voisine from Fort Kent, ME. “For the longest time, I’ve wanted to go abroad to learn and to explore, and MBS gave us that opportunity to see the world.”
The experience began with an orientation at Sant’Anna University, followed by a hands-on gelato-making class, an early introduction to Italy’s rich culinary traditions. On day two, students attended a guest lecture by Dr. Sarah Brown on sustainable tourism in the Campania region, then visited three local hotels to explore different hospitality styles and operations in Sorrento.
“During the three hotel visits, I learned how a different perspective can determine the value you see,” Voisine says. “The way they are unique in their own ways, rather than trying to be similar to each other, is why these hotels can thrive.”
Day three centered on service learning with Caritas Italiana in Naples. Students worked together to prepare a meal for the local community, gaining insight into social responsibility and community-based support systems. In the afternoon, they explored Naples on a guided walking tour, visiting some of the city’s most famous sites.
Later in the week, students attended a lecture by Dr. Davide De Gennaro on Italy’s current economic landscape and trends. They then participated in a guided food tour, learning about the production of mozzarella and limoncello while sampling local specialties. Visits to traditional artisan workshops offered a closer look at Sorrento’s craftsmanship and long-standing production techniques.
Mia Voisine focused on experiential tours for the class. “Before we left for Italy, I learned how impactful tours are to Italy’s economy,” she says. “They’re not just for tourists to learn the best places to eat or where to shop. These tours provide visitors with an impactful learning experience about Italian culture. Tours are also integral to the locals, as they help provide for their families. So much of Italy’s economy comes from tourism, and we saw that firsthand throughout the week.”
Over the weekend, students traveled along the Amalfi Coast, visiting Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello. The group also toured Pompeii, gaining historical context that deepened their understanding of the region’s cultural significance.
The program concluded with a final guest lecture from Dr. Ivana Di Leva on food marketing and tourism in Campania. Students explored how culinary identity shapes regional branding and visitor experiences, then participated in a cooking class and a farewell dinner featuring traditional Italian dishes.
“I loved the cooking class because it was so hands-on and interactive!” Voisine says. Matos agreed. “It was a new experience for me because I had never made fresh pasta from scratch before. I learned how much work goes into making traditional Italian food and how important fresh, local ingredients are.”
Through a combination of academic rigor, cultural immersion, and hands-on experiences, the Italy travel study offered students a deeper understanding of global tourism and hospitality. Just as importantly, it created lasting memories, new perspectives, and a stronger sense of connection among the group, hallmarks of the Maine Business School experience.
“Some of my favorite memories and friendships came from this trip,” Voisine says. “I learned so much about myself while also learning about a different culture and way of life.”
