This past week in class has had a great effect on my perspective. Professors Gupta’s lessons really challenge us as students to think about problems objectively. He wants us to see problems from both parties, and how our financial system and its relation with government is a push and a pull. We focused heavily on the darker side or corporations this week, and how they are held responsible ( or not). We discussed how we personally would hold corporations accountable, or rather if we thought that corporations and the market would figure it out themselves. It was very interesting and though provoking to play devils advocate and try and pick apart each sides argument. In our other class, with Mrs. Swain, we discussed workplace differences, and cultural differences that effect our day to day lives in Italy versus the United States. We all went into detail about our personal experiences with work thus far.

In regards to my internship, I have been learning a lot about small businesses and their inner financial workings. Sean Werfel and I have been researching and documenting different startups and how they obtain, manage, and use funds. Our boss is currently in Hong Kong, so we have been connecting with him through Microsoft Teams. In addition to our financial research, we have been tasked with improving and westernizing their marketing platform. Last week was Design Week, and my coworkers had attended in order to promote our company: Vado. Additionally, we have created a presentation and survey in order to ask our fellow IES students and others on their thoughts of our product. Said product is a travel/luggage organizer that comes with designated bags for the gym, laundry, a backpack and more. The design is quite intuitive. Thus far in our surveying we have gotten a lot of positive feedback and some helpful constructive criticism.

This week was the best yet. This past weekend six friends and I stayed over in Cinque Terre after our IES field trip. It was the prettiest place I have ever been. The views were breathtaking and it almost seemed like you could see for forever into the horizon on the water. All around the land were tall and layered mountains which cut into the skyline. We stayed in an Airbnb on a boat, which was quite fun. We got to travel to a more southern and relaxed region of the five islands, Porto Venere. The water there was crystal clear, and in the morning we could see hundreds of jellyfish around the boat and the surrounding shore. The dock we were parked on happened to be the only swimmable dock in the whole city, so we were able to jump right off the boat!