Faith, Finance, and Identity: My Journey as a Black Business Student in Rome
Studying abroad is often seen as a "luxury" or "break." As a business and finance major, I knew it had to be an investment for me. I wanted to see how global markets operate firsthand. However, I also carried questions that weren't in the brochures. What is it like to be Black in a business class abroad? How do I maintain my Christian values while navigating a new culture?
If you are a Black student considering this leap, know that your perspective is your greatest asset. My time abroad in Rome wasn't just about academic credits; it was also about globalizing my identity. Here are four things I wish I knew before I boarded that plane.
1. Networking is a Global Game
In the world of finance, we say your "net worth is your network." This doesn't stop at the US border. Before I left, I looked for mutual connections who were working in prestigious roles in the industry abroad.
Meeting these professionals was a gamechanger. It wasn’t just about building my LinkedIn profile; it was about seeing Black excellence in global markets. Seeing someone who looks like me succeeding as a Senior Analyst or a Finance Director in a global city changed my internal "ceiling." It makes the dream of working internationally feel like a tangible reality.
Advice for you: Don't be afraid to reach out to alumni or professionals in your host city. Often, they are excited to meet a student who is taking the initiative to learn the global landscape.
2. Gain a Global Perspective from Local Experts
I highly recommend taking core business classes while you are abroad. During my time at abroad, I took Microeconomics and Intro to Statistics. Learning these subjects from Italian professors shifted my perspective entirely.
In the US, we often view economics through a domestic lens. Hearing an Italian professor explain market structures and data gave me a more nuanced understanding of global trade. I wasn't just learning math; I was learning how the world calculates value. Taking business classes abroad proves you can adapt to different professional standards. This kind of academic diversity makes you a much more attractive candidate for global firms. When you sit in a classroom abroad, you are a global observer.
Advice for you: Pay attention to the small differences in how business is discussed abroad. Those nuances are exactly what will set you apart in a job interview later.
3. Find a Spiritual Home Away from Home
Before arriving in Italy, I was worried about my spiritual life. My faith is incredibly important to me. When I first got to Rome, finding a Christian community felt like a daunting task, especially a diverse one. I spent my first few weeks searching for a space where I could be my full self.
Eventually, through my university network, I started attending a student-led Bible study in the community. It truly made being abroad feel more like home. This Bible study was diverse in both race and thought, which I deeply valued. Even though we came from different countries, we all shared the same faith.
Having this community to lean on made my experience so much better because I valued the relationships. It provided a soft landing after long days of navigating new environments.
Advice for you: If you are a student of faith, don’t settle for isolation. Seek out those student-led groups early. They are often where you will find your most meaningful connections.
4. Own Your Voice in the Classroom
It is no secret that many business and finance spaces lack diversity. While I was abroad, I often found that my classes were not very diverse. In those moments, it is easy to stay quiet. However, I learned that this is exactly when you need to speak up.
Take the time to reflect on the value you bring as a Black voice. Your perspective on consumer behavior, social equity, and community-building is an asset to your classmates. I realized that by sharing my experiences, I wasn't just learning from the host culture, I was teaching them, too.
To the prospective student reading this: don't let the fear of being the only one keep you from the world. The global business world needs your voice. Whether you are crunching numbers in a statistics lab abroad or sharing your testimony in a local Bible study, you are building a version of yourself that is stronger, wiser, and more capable.
What are you waiting for? The ROI of this trip is immeasurable. Take the leap, find your community, and show the world what a Black business leader looks like.
This post was written by Odreille Uwimana, an Alumni Ambassador from Berea College who studied abroad in Rome, Italy.
