STUDY ABROAD IN ROME
On August 29, 2016, I boarded a plane to the country of my dreams: Italy. Every single day of the four months I was there was an adventure. Some days were less challenging than others, but twists and turns existed on every bend of the Lungotevere (the road running along the Tiber River). After settling down on day one, my roommates and I had our first adventure: grocery shopping. Before arriving in Italy, I would have never thought that grocery shopping would be a daunting experience, but it was. When we stepped outside of our door, we were already overwhelmed with the unfamiliarity of the area. Because I was the only one in my apartment that was fluent in Italian, I was tasked with approaching friendly-looking strangers and asking them where the nearest supermarket was. After looking around for someone approachable, I came up to an older woman and in my best Italian asked her, “Signora, dov’è il supermercato più vicino?” and she looked at me like I was crazy. However, she did send us to a supermarket after I explained that we were new in the area. Unfortunately, they did not speak any English in this supermarket, and the supermarket etiquette that people follow in Italy is much different than in America, leading us to be really confused and some of us vowed not to set foot in that market again. Fortuitously, though, we found other supermarkets during our time in Rome, and we got used to weighing our produce and breads before going up to the cashier.
In Assisi before having my phone stolen.
About a month after my arrival in Rome, I took a day trip to Assisi. It’s a beautiful, little town known for its churches and, of course, Saint Francis of Assisi. It was a nice getaway until one unfortunate event. At a church, I had my phone stolen out of my back pocket. The panic that ensued was incredible. I called my parents from my friend’s phone, waking them up so they could lock the phone and delete everything remotely. Then I almost cried. I had already given up all hope of seeing my phone again, but I approached a carabiniere (military police officer) about reporting my phone stolen. He told me that someone had found it, and all hope returned. All I had to do was go to the central police station and “it should be there.” When I arrived in the station, however, the phone was not there. I was, though, greeted by a police officer who thought I was suspicious because he could not read my ID (because it was in English). Luckily for me, I was able to explain my situation in Italian and, considering the fact that I have never had to report anything to the police before that day and especially in Italian, I successfully filed a police report. Despite the fact that I never got my phone back, I did gain valuable skills such as communicating to an official in another language and navigating without a phone/google maps/any technological communication in multiple foreign countries for three months. I also learned to keep my valuables under much closer watch! Thus, it was absolutely a great learning experience.
While my home base was in Rome, Italy, I also traveled throughout the Mediterranean and central/Western Europe. I visited Hungary, Greece, France, Spain, Switzerland and England during my time abroad and each country offered more than just incredible sights. While staying in Budapest, for example, I was able to interact with the locals, learning about the history of Budapest and the Hungarian culture. Although three days were not sufficient to absorb all the information, it did allow me to get a taste of what’s out there. I loved experiencing new cultures and hearing a new language everywhere I went. I loved practicing the languages I did know and asking Greeks and Hungarians how to say simple (but important) words like please and thank you. The hospitality we received in the Airbnbs, hostels, and restaurants we frequented during our mini-vacations remain with me to this day. In a restaurant in Fira, Greece, the manager came up to us and talked to us because we were the only tourists in the season (late October is apparently not a popular time to visit Greece) and gave us the “Nectar of the Gods” after our meal. It was a delicious drink and she didn’t even charge us for it because we were such “nice guests.” It definitely made an impression in me because I still remember her warm acceptance of our visit.
In front of the Hello Hungary sign in Budapest.
Study Abroad
Besides learning about cultures and interpersonal skills, I stepped out of my comfort zone quite a lot in my time abroad. Not only did I have to get lost in Rome because of not having a phone, but I also delved into situations I never thought I would be strong enough to do. During a weekend trip to Cinque Terre in northwestern Italy, I conquered a hike to a beautiful viewpoint which tested my fear of heights and my athletic abilities, and I subsequently jumped off a cliff into frigid Mediterranean waters (yes, I apologized to my mother in the video on the left)! It was exhilarating, and I learned so much more about my limits! After that point, nothing really feels as daunting; it helped me open up to myself about my real fears and allowed me to try other experiences I would have never done. Later in the semester, for instance, I climbed to the top of various churches and went on the London Eye.
Little experiences like my supermarket adventures impacted me just as strongly as the big ones. Through that first trip to the supermarket, I learned Italian customs and improved my interpersonal skills. I learned to be confident in my speaking skills and not to fear talking to (friendly-looking) strangers if I need help. Getting lost in la città eterna allowed me to discover parts of Rome that I may have never seen; I actually stumbled into the city’s smallest chapel because of trying to find my way home without GPS! Jumping off cliffs, approaching strangers, and making decisions without fear of failure really impacted my life now. It has led me to be more confident not just in life but also in educational and professional goals. I have wholeheartedly committed to applications for internship opportunities, graduate programs, and professional career help: all things I never would have done without the confidence I gained from studying abroad.
So, on August 29, 2016, I boarded a plane to the country of my dreams, not knowing how influential the next four months would be. Although it is a cliché to say that studying abroad “changed my life,” I must admit that it is exactly how I feel. I gained valuable information, skills, and experience during my time in Italy. I learned how to manage my time more effectively in order to finish schoolwork, travel, and fulfill my scholarship requirements. I gained budgeting experience, organizational skills, and strengthened my language skills. I took courses that built upon subjects I knew of and learned additional information about others. Therefore, overall, studying abroad enriched my academic career in ways I never imagined. My host country, Italy, remains in my heart to this day. The warmth of the people that I met, the Mediterranean culture and the incredible history around every corner will never leave my memories.
