Trip Region: Europe
Country(ies): Malta & Sicily
Partners Trek? Yes
Cost: $2285
Airfare Estimate: $1100
Structure: •
Lodging: •
Nightlife: 3 •
Activity: 3
Trek Description:
An adventure through the heart of the Mediterranean is calling your name, where ancient history and natural beauty converge in Malta and Sicily. Explore the vibrant streets of Catania, discovering its rich heritage and the majestic Mount Etna. Delight in the flavors of Sicilian cuisine, and discover the breathtaking landscapes of Syracuse – each day unfolds with new discoveries.
From here, fly to the historic city of Valletta in Malta, where you’ll have time to indulge in the food and wander through the silent city of Mdina. You’ll also dive into the crystal-clear waters of the Blue Lagoon on Comino Island, a highlight that promises serene beauty and relaxation.
Local gastronomy, leisure time on sun-kissed beaches, and treks through historic sites abound. This journey is a mosaic of cultural immersion, historical exploration, and natural splendor, designed to leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.
Day 1 — Thursday, Aug 17
https://www.tourhero.com/en/epic-adventures/italy/isle-be-seeing-you-in-sicily-and-malta-with-mtrek-2024-593877
Grant Potts
Hometown: Terre Haute, IN
Undergrad: DePauw University
Pre-MBA life: Management consulting at Deloitte (bet you haven’t heard of that one before)
Post-MBA plans: I have no idea at this point…and by MTrek this will be an interesting convo. Let’s chat about this over some wine in Sicily
Why should you join my trek?
You should join this trek for a billion reasons, but I’ll give you 3:
1) Getting to casually say to your non-MBA friends “sorry, can’t chat, I’m in Sicily this week with 25 of my new MBA friends :(” Kind of a cool flex…
2) Beaches, sunshine, pizza, pasta, wine, aperol spritzs, and did I say wine…? You’ll be wanting all of these things when it’s cloudy and 25 degrees for 7 straight weeks during winter A in Ann Arbor 🙂
3) An absolutely ELITE crew of MBA2s to hang with who are excited to get to know all of you and to create an intentional trip where everyone can develop close friendships with each other as you head into your first year!
Mitch Pollock
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Undergrad: Vanderbilt University
Pre-MBA life: Software Developer in Washington, D.C.
Post-MBA plans: Strategy Consulting at McKinsey
Why should you join my trek?
To paraphrase a famous Sicilian, I’ll make you an offer you can’t refuse:
– Receive a royal welcome to business school from the Godfathers of Ross: two of the chillest, most empathetic MBA2s you’ll have the privilege to call friends – and also me.
– Stuff your face with Sicilian-style pizza you’ll make with your own hands.
– Make deep connections of the soul with your fellow Rossers on the beautiful slopes of Mt. Etna, then dance your culos off in the bars of Catania with the Dab King himself, Grant Potts.
– Show off the efforts of your summer workout routine in the clear blue waters of the Blue Lagoon (think Daniel Craig in that one scene in Casino Royale – time to hit the gym, starting yesterday).
– I mean… it’s Sicily and Malta. Do you really need convincing?
Avery Wasson
Hometown: Greenwich, CT
Undergrad: University of Richmond
Pre-MBA life: Talent Assistant at Late Night With Seth Meyers (least basic one here)
Post-MBA plans:
Why should you join my trek?
“With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility.” Is this from Spiderman? Absolutely. Nonetheless, as both the honorary female and non-MBA trek lead, I recognize the importance of my role.
Why should you join my trek? Well… as Mitch so eloquently put it, it’s Sicily and Malta. Need I say more? Nonetheless… let me give you a few highlights that don’t even begin to scratch the surface.
1) The crystal-clear waters of the Blue Lagoon are calling your name. Prepare to be showing off your tan lines on the first day of school from a fun-filled day of soaking up the sun on Comino Island. Gentlemen, that includes you too! Who doesn’t love a good shorts and snorkel tan?
2) A trip in Europe wouldn’t be complete without a little wine-tasting experience. Although I can’t teach you much about the tannins or flavor profiles of wine, I will certainly teach you what Jon and Grant mean when they say “Oh, that’s an Avery pour.”
3) Hope you’re all packing your “eating pants” because I am on a journey to find the best bolognese in Europe. So, for my fellow pasta and meat loving friends – let’s go on this journey together. Bologense not for you? Then I hope a pizza dough throwing contest entices you because I’ve been putting in the hours to create the best thin crust pizza imaginable.
Jon Willmot
Hometown: Malvern, PA
Undergrad: University of Richmond
Pre-MBA life: Management Consultant at DayBlink (yes, Grant and I are as basic as they come)
Post-MBA plans: Brand Marketing at PepisCo Chicago
Why should you join my trek?
For those who haven’t experienced Italy or the Meditteranean, get ready for the trip of a lifetime. Highlights will include, but are not limited to:
1) Experiencing the best cuisine of any M Trek hands down, and we’re not just talking pasta (although trust me, there will be endless amounts of pasta) – get ready for mouthwatering pizza, burrata, gelato and tiramisu that will have you wondering why you applied to Ross instead of Bocconi
2) Absorbing enough Vitamin D on the white beaches and blue waters of the Meditteranean to not only have you looking tan as hell for your first day of class, but to also get you through Ann Arbor’s 5 month winter without having to spend $60 on a Happy Light
3) Channeling your inner Game of Thones when we visit Mdina (a.k.a. King’s Landing) – currently working out details with TourHero to let us chant “SHAME SHAME SHAME!” while hurling local produce at Grant and Mitch. Details to come.
4) Bonding with 4 incredible trek leaders and 20+ of your future classmates over many bottles glasses of wine in one of the most beautiful parts of the world!