Submitted by Deja Rodriquez-Santiago on the 2019 summer session program in Italy sponsored by the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences…
Peach, mango, nutella, vanilla, chocolate, caramel and raspberry. These are just a few gelato flavors I’ve tried since arriving in Rome. Each one having their own texture, color, and taste. Even if I think I might not like the flavor, I still try it anyway because picking a gelato flavor, just like life, is all about being vulnerable, taking risks, and trying new things. Similarly, the second week in Italy has allowed me to experience many different textures, colors, and flavors of Italian culture and an important factor that allowed me to experience such things was being vulnerable and trying new things. For example, this week, a group of friends and I took a trip to the beach which was about an hour from where we are staying in Rome. None of us knew exactly how to get there and we got lost in the process, but we made it eventually and we did this by staying calm, going with the flow and making mistakes. In addition to the beach, I had the chance to see the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, a Vivaldi concert and an opera. During these excursions, more specifically at the opera and the concert, I felt a little out of my comfort zone because I’ve never been exposed to those kinds of arts before. It’s experiences like this that make me realize how big the world is and how there is so much to experience and see. I have the Italian culture to thank for making me come to this realization and I can’t wait to see what gelato flavor I get next.
