Jackson Lopiano

Contact

jlopiano@wharton.upenn.edu

Ask Me About…

• Living and working abroad with a group/research team 24/7 for 3 weeks.
• Preparing for, traveling to, and navigating a new country and continent.
• Best practices for field work and talking with locals in rural areas and those who are leaders in their communities.
• Having to go to a foreign hospital & use International SOS while studying abroad
• Making the most of your time living and studying abroad in Milan / Italy
• Working, communicating, and traveling with those from other countries

My Experience Abroad

The insights I gained from the PGDI program in Uganda and South Africa were instrumental in shaping my approach to understanding how economic decisions are influenced by cultural, social, and psychological factors. Working with individuals and communities across the African continent allowed me to explore how community values and historical contexts influence economic behaviors, a core aspect of behavioral economics. These direct observations have enhanced my ability to document and interpret complex human behaviors—an essential skill in both academic research and practical business applications. This experience has also prepared me for a career where I aim to apply behavioral economic principles to improve company management and operational efficiency. The skills in qualitative research and empathetic engagement developed through the PGDI program will be pivotal as I seek to implement innovative management strategies that consider the nuanced motivations behind a diverse array of employee and consumer behaviors.

During my PGS program to South Africa, I had the incredible opportunity to see drastically diverse parts of a single nation from many different perspectives. Beyond the already diverse city of Johannesburg, my class and I traveled to the Zimbabwean border and were able to further see the impact of migration out of Zimbabwe into South Africa and speak with those who crossed. This experience allowed me to further the research methodologies I learned in classes at Penn and bring to life the history I have read about only in textbooks.

In Spring 2025, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad at Bocconi University in Milan, Italy where I was able to expand both my academic and personal horizons. While abroad, I immersed myself in courses that complemented my studies and future career goals in the business world. From exploring the art market with a professor who was an active Italian gallerist, to analyzing the tourism industry through site visits across Milan, and to even studying the business and creative sides of cinema. These courses gave me a firsthand understanding of how culture, economics, and business intersect in European markets, adding an international dimension to my academic foundation at Wharton. Outside the classroom, I lived, traveled, and learned alongside peers from around the world, gaining insights into their diverse experiences, customs, and perspectives. While based in Milan, I also had the flexibility to visit 13 countries and 34 cities, where I deepened my appreciation for local cultures, tried unique foods, and collected souvenirs (which included at least one magnet in every location!). Overall, this semester pushed me to grow personally by adapting to new environments, building international friendships, and developing the cultural fluency I aim to bring into my future semesters at Penn and beyond.

Other Highlights

• Playing with lions, zebras, lemurs, and more in Uganda.
• Abseiling down a 360 foot waterfall.
• Being invited into the homes and schools of locals to learn about their lives and document their stories.
• Sailing to the source of the Nile River.
• Traveling with a diverse group of students and faculty at Penn.
• Going to AC and Inter Milan games (despite spraining my ankle…).
• Visiting famous landmarks and cultural events because it is amazing to experience places and traditions in real life that you only ever see in textbooks or postcards.