Submitted by Andrea Cannizzaro on the 2024 Winter ITAL/LLCU program in Italy…
After experiencing a few days in Rome, I’ve picked up on quite a few things that are very different in the United States. First I learned that ordering a cappuccino after 11:00 a.m. is not common and you would get some heads turning. Having the language barrier is one of the most difficult things about being abroad. Even though most of the locals speak English, saying “Grazie,” or even “Buongiorno” goes a long way. Another thing that gave me culture shock was seeing all of the ancient monuments like the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, the Spanish steps, the Pantheon, etc, was absolutely amazing. It’s weird to think that some of the locals pass the monuments on their commute to work, yet so many people travel to Italy just to see these monuments. I’ve come to realize that culture shock here is not a challenge to overcome but a journey to embrace. It’s about stepping out of your comfort zone and immersing yourself in the culture around you (Submitted on January 7, 2024).
