CORVALLIS – The Oregon State women’s basketball team departed for Italy Tuesday morning with 10 days in Europe ahead of them. The trip will give the Beavers a chance to bond as a team, enjoy an outstanding experience in the nation of Italy, and play against a high level of competition. “It’s almost like a mini camp and a little season,” said Oregon State head coach Scott Rueck. “It moves you ahead in your year. We are going late in the summer, so the teams we face will be established and we should get some great competition. We’re going to learn a lot about ourselves. Ultimately though, this is really just a life-changing experience. The bonding that happens on a trip like this, and the shared, unique experiences are truly special. It’s a dynamic experience, and I’m excited to see this group enjoy it.” Oregon State departed Tuesday morning for the 10-day adventure. The trip will feature stops in Naples (Aug. 21-22), Rome (Aug. 23-24), Florence (Aug. 25-26), Venice (Aug. 27-28) and Como (Aug. 29-31). College basketball teams get 10 official practices before international trips, and Oregon State held its first practice on Aug. 10 at the OSU Basketball Center. The Beavers are slated to play four games during the trip.