Submitted by Andrew Olbrich on the 2019 winter session study abroad program in Italy sponsored by the Department of Philosophy…
I have been in Rome for the past five days, and every moment has been amazing. We have seen many things including the Colosseum, Spanish Steps, Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, as well as several other smaller churches and landmarks. However, seeing the Pantheon was mind blowing. As a mechanical engineer, this is an amazing piece of engineering. This building has a large dome, with a small opening in the center. This dome was extremely unique, given that no one else knew how to build a dome for over 1,000 years after the Pantheon was completed. It is this piece of architecture and countless other ancient buildings that drew me to go on this program. Everywhere I turn, I see a new building or structure that has been standing there for thousands of years. This is what is unique about Rome and Italy in itself. I’m used to cities like Philadelphia or New York City, with big skyscrapers and modern looking aesthetics. Arriving in Rome, I was instantly aware of the difference between these cities. Yes, the city is one of the largest in the world, as are Philadelphia and New York City, but there is a stark difference here as compared to these American cities. Italy contains almost no giant buildings, as the peak of the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the highest points in the city. Rome is laced with artifacts dating back to 500 B.C., while the earliest landmarks in America are only really a few hundred years old. This is a very unique program and I am enjoying every minute of it.
