Faculty-led Program in Italy (Prof. Beenken)
Family dynamics present both problems and opportunities in managing a business. This is an important topic as roughly 80 percent of all businesses world-wide are classified as family owned. This course focuses on this vital and interesting sector.
There are estimated to be about 784,000 family businesses in Italy, comprising over 85% of the total business landscape and providing around 70% of employment. This makes Italy one of the most concentrated family business countries in the world.
The other important thing that distinguishes Italian family businesses is their remarkable longevity. 15 of the 100 oldest businesses in the world are Italian family owned firms.
Our program will give us the opportunity to meet, tour, and interact with some of these business families. We’ll have an opportunity to learn about their values and the work they do to preserve these companies for centuries.
In addition, we will take some time to learn from Italian business owners and faculty from across the country.
Our trek will include visits to firms in Milan, time with faculty based in the region, visits in Parma with Iowa family firms who have operations in Italy, and further visits and sightseeing along the Amalfi Coast.
Our experience will also include interactions with the owners of some Iowa family firms. For a few days of the trip our students will have the opportunity to interact, network, and learn from some of the more prominent Iowa family owned businesses. We will also take time to visit businesses owned by Iowa families based in Italy. We’ll hear about why they have Italian locations and how those ventures drive growth for their overall business.
Dates & Deadlines
App Deadline: January 31st, 2025
Program Dates: May 19, 2025 to May 30, 2025 (Dates tentative)
To get started for Summer Break-Italy 2025, schedule a meeting with an advisor using the link below.
Interested in studying abroad in the summer of 2025 or later? Please fill out the waitlist form below and the study abroad center will notify you when applications for future terms open. If you are still deciding where or when you want to go abroad, you can also schedule an informational meeting with our office to learn more about the programs we offer and find one that works best for you!
Study Abroad Waitlist Schedule Info Meeting
Unsure where to begin? Visit our Application Process page to learn more!
Course Leader
Dan Beenken, Director
Department: Business and Community Services
Phone: 319-273-4322
E-mail: dan.beenken@uni.edu
Campus Address: 8120 Jennings Drive, Suite 31
Dan Beenken’s primary focuses are in succession planning and family business. Prior to his current role, he worked in asset management, venture capital and investment banking industries — most recently in business development and product management.
Beenken has extensive experience working with early-stage firms on capital formation and exit strategies. He has also served as a business consultant at the University of Minnesota and Iowa State University. Dan holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and entrepreneurial management from Iowa State University and master’s of business administration from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Business.
- Academics
MGMT/ENTR 3159: Family Business Management (3 credit hours)
The Study Abroad Center will enroll participants in the course. Please contact the program’s course leader for more information on academic requirements.
Talk to your academic advisor about how this course would work for you!
NOTES:
- Students planning to participate in the spring commencement ceremony in May can enroll in this summer term program, however, their degree will not be conferred until the end of the summer term and is contingent on the successful completion of the program and all required coursework.
- Students attending colleges and universities other than UNI are welcome to participate in this program. If you are not currently a UNI student, but would like to participate in this program, please contact the UNI Study Abroad Center prior to starting your program application.
- Itinerary
Tentative Program Dates: Monday, May 19 - Friday May 30, 2025. (Dates do not include travel to/from destination)
Sample itinerary is subject to change.
Day 1: Students arrive in Milan; travel to housing on their own via public transportation; group dinner in evening
Day 2: Milan Branca Distillery - Templeton Rye
Day 3: Stroppiana Rice Factory, meet with owners about turnaround story. Visits and discussions with Iowa's Krause family on their wineries, hotel, and soccer club. Discussion of family business dynamics and how they overlay with business management. Professor Alessandro Minichilli will share his research on family business.
Day 4: Parma Visits and discussions with Iowa's Krause family on their wineries, hotel, and soccer club. Discussion of family business dynamics and how they overlay with business management.
Day 5: Sant'Anna Institute in Sorrento - Arrival/Check in/tours
Day 6: Sant'Anna Institute in Sorrento - Pompeii, family winery tour
Day 7: Sorrento - Mozzarella farm
Day 8: Sorrento - Capri
Day 9: Sorrento - Cooking class, family restaurant tour
Day 10: Sorrento - class, Italian small business tours
Day 11: Sorrento - Amalfi coast tour
Day 12: Sorrento - Departure
Day 13: Departure; group travels to airport on their own via public transportation
- Participant Info
Meet your Advisor:
Stephanie is a full time study abroad advisor who will help you throughout the application process to Italy, including documentation, finances, scholarships, and more. From your first steps meeting until you take off for your new adventure, Jamie will help you every step of the way.
Important information to review:
Study abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be challenged by new experiences in new environments and cultures. UNI study abroad programs are designed to prioritize educational opportunities for students. Students are encouraged to embrace the adventure of exploring how housing, meals, and daily routines differ abroad.
Entry and Exit Requirements
Review and follow the travel recommendations of the U.S. State Department for travel to Italy
- Housing & Meals
Students will stay in hotels arranged by the Study Abroad Center while abroad. The cost of these hotels are included in the “Program Cost” line item of the program cost estimate. A few meals are built into the “Program Cost” (example: all breakfasts at hotels and 1 additional group meal in Italy). Students will pay for the remaining meals out-of-pocket while traveling and are encouraged to try the local foods.
Program Costs
Estimated Program Cost: 6,823*
*estimated total cost of participation, actual amount depends on type of housing accommodation selected, actual airfare purchase price, personal spending habits, and other factors
| Estimated Total Program Cost | $6,977 |
| Estimated U-bill Charges | $4,335 |
| Estimated Out-of-Pocket Costs | $2,642 |
Summer 2025 Cost Estimate (PDF)
Cost of Studying On Campus at UNI*
*per semester, estimated, will vary per person
| Tuition & Fees | $4,968 |
| Room & Board | $4,993 |
| Books | $400 |
| Personal Expenses | $902 |
| Transportation | $385 |
| Total | $11,648 |
Eligibility Requirements to Study Abroad
The Study Abroad Center reserves the right to determine participants' eligibility to study abroad. Students must have a completed study abroad application, including supportive recommendation form(s). View eligibility requirements.