Submitted by Irene Piro on the 2024 Spring program in Rome, Italy…
With the start of classes comes a new routine for the remainder of my time in Rome. Still, a surreal feeling floats over me whenever I think about where I’ll be for the semester. This week, the streets of Rome became my commute to school. It’s refreshing to be able to stop for good coffee and food to, from, and between classes (when the city becomes your campus, am I right?).
In my classes, it was exciting to hear where students were from. Especially in my psychology classes, it will be interesting to hear different perspectives from locals and students with other unique backgrounds.
After my first week of school, I was looking forward to my day trip to Pompeii with my roommates and new friends. While we had to ride on both buses and trains to get there, it is still nice to see how convenient it is to visit such intriguing places.
I didn’t realize how large the city of Pompeii was until we got there and saw the map. Seeing the ruins of the living quarters and bathhouses was quite compelling. Specifically, reading about what the well-preserved structures were used for–laundry and sinks–really put the city of Pompeii into perspective. Seeing how advanced the city was so long ago was quite captivating. What shocked me the most was how the paintings, tiling, and other artistic elements such as engravings were also so well preserved.
With so many historically rich opportunities at my fingertips here in Rome, I am excited to see where the next few months take me. (Submitted on January 22, 2024)
As I finish my third week in Rome and my second week of classes, I’ve started to settle into a new routine. I’ve never envisioned myself living in a city–ever. I’m not the biggest fan of cities, but Rome has granted me a new perspective of convenience. On the way to classes in the morning, stopping in for a light breakfast is easy, as many small cafés line the walk to school. Between classes, my friends and I can easily dine at an assortment of restaurants for a satisfying lunch. We’ve picked a few favorites in our three weeks, so we’ve frequented those quite often. One waiter even knows our preferred dessert, seeing as we stop by every Thursday.
Not only has Rome shown me a new perspective on city life, but it has also shown me the unique elements of Rome as a city. This past weekend, I was able to take day trips to both Vatican City and Florence. I’ve reflected before on how amazing it is that I can visit so many new, historical places in Italy now that I’m in Rome, yet as my friends and I managed the hour-long walk to Vatican City, and when St. Peter’s Basilica came into view, I once again was in awe that this new world was just an hour away from my apartment. Not to mention Florence too, being an hour and a half train ride away. There, I was able to see The David, The Birth of Venus, Da Vinci’s unfinished works, the Sistine Chapel, and so many more beautiful pieces of art. I can’t believe I was standing just feet away (or below) some of the most well-known art pieces, nor can I believe that I have my very own photos of The David. It’s coming on 1 month in Rome for me, and I feel like I’ve experienced so many life-times already. (Submitted on January 31, 2024)
I took some time off because my roommates and I were sick for a bit, and right after, exams quickly followed (the exams have continued…the reality of studying abroad I suppose). It has become quite warm here in Rome during my hiatus (I may need to retire my puffer soon!). In this time, I have also gone on quite a few adventures, and have picked up on little bits of Italian/Roman culture that I have come to appreciate.
I have been able to visit many different areas of Rome such as the Roman Forum, the Palatine Hill where there is an orange garden, along with a few hidden gems. In my neighborhood, Trastevere, my friend and I visited a small nursery that sells so many different plants. I’m very tempted to take home a cactus, but I’m not too sure how I’d go about that. My friend and I did pick up a basil plant for the apartment though, so we’ll enjoy that for the time being. I’ve also been able to try several new restaurants in Rome, and I have enjoyed the late-night, slow dinners that seem custom here. On Valentine’s Day, my friends and I spent a good 3-4 hours at dinner, where we enjoyed live music, pasta, drinks, and dessert. I fear that I’m taking the slow meals for granted here!
Spring break was also amazing. My friends and I hit 4 countries in 6 days. Our first stop was Budapest, where we explored the city, visited the thermal baths, and did a Prosecco River Cruise. Then we hopped on another plane and hit Brussels. The fries were delicious! Next, we took a train to Paris and saw the basics–the Mona Lisa, The Eiffel Tower, and the Arch de Triomphe. Then finally we flew to Dublin, where it snowed the day before and rained for a good amount of our first day. Our socks and shoes were wet from the slush, but we still managed to have a fulfilling time. We went on a Jameson and Guinness tour where we learned how to taste whiskey and the proper way to pour and of course, drink a Guinness. I’d love to visit Ireland again in the spring or summer without the biting wind, slush, and rain, but overall, it was definitely a spring break for the books. (Submitted on March 18, 2024)