Submitted by Hannah Gottfried on the 2019 summer session program in Italy sponsored by the Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition…
My whole life, I have wanted to travel to Italy. The people, the culture, the food, all seemed like a movie. And stepping off the plane was no different. Since being here for a week now, I have had some great experiences and insight into the Italian society and the rich history it has. One of my highlights so far would have to be the walking tour of Volterra. The tour guide was great and as someone who is always very interested in the history of places I visit, she did a really good job of explaining everything to the best of her ability while also trying not to force opinions onto us.
When I thought of Volterra before this trip, I mainly thought of Twilight and the Volturi, however, there is so much rich history buried in the cobblestoned streets of this city that I have never known. She spoke of the resilience and pride the people of Volterra had for their city and even though, they were outgunned, they still figured out ways to save the most important parts of their history. The arch was definitely one of my favorite parts, and the story was very sad, but also empowering. The view didn’t hurt either. Having recently traveled to Israel as well, I discovered a newfound appreciation for religion and those who celebrate it. Although I do not consider myself to be a religious person, I think the concept of a place of worship to be very interesting. I really enjoyed the stories of the cathedrals and baptisms as well. Another story that was very interesting to me was that of the skull and crossbones. Nowadays, we see that symbol and are reminded of death, sadness, and grief. However, the tour guide gave me a new perspective on what that symbol means to other people and how it is a way to represent the soul and the afterlife.
So far, my study abroad to Italy has been an unforgettable experience. The stories about the history of Italy have been eye opening and I am learning so much about things that I never expected to. I only hope we continue to delve into the different layers of Italy’s rich background throughout the month!
