Submitted by Carly Precht on the 2019 summer session program in Italy sponsored by the Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition…
Three weeks, five cities and unforgettable memories later, I am back in the small state of Delaware. When one decides to study abroad it is inevitable that bonds will be made and days will be filled with amazing memories visiting historical sites, tasting foods of the area and learning about the city’s culture. But what I didn’t know was that I would leave with a sense of wholesomeness from this beautiful country. Over the course of the three weeks, I was completely engrossed in the culture where I learned about the beginnings of each city I visited, had conversations with the locals and shared in some of their traditions. In an effort to assimilate into the Italian culture my mind has been opened up to more than the beautiful landscape.
The end of the second week was spent traveling to the great city of Rome which surpassed any and all expectations I had. People told me that I would find that it is like any other U.S. city. Although there is no doubt that Rome has been Americanized so that one may find a McDonalds or Starbucks on a street corner there is much more to be explored. On your way to that McDonalds or Starbucks you may pass the ruins of the Roman Forum or the Colosseum. Every step one takes, you feel that you are stepping in the footsteps of historical figures such as Trajan, Julius Caesar or Constantine. Rome easily became one of my favorite cities, a close second to Florence.
The first week day was spent in Trastevere, a district in Rome where we spent the day trying foods near and dear to the district natives. According to our tour guide, Katerina, individuals born in Trastevere distinguish themselves from Romans because years ago, Trastevere and the rest of Rome were divided. The divide was a bridge that crossed the Tiber River and prevented those who weren’t from Trastevere from entering. Therefore, residents take pride in being considered their own entity in Rome. Additionally, she mentioned that many of the store owners are the original owners who have been around since the divide. The first stop was at a pasticerria or pastry shop to visit Vera the original owner who is now in her 80s. Vera had made for us what is referred to as a beignet that was filled with an eggnog cream made from a sweet wine originating from Sicily. Our next stop was a small shop that was famous for great take away pizzas, sandwiches and my personal favorite suppli. Suppli is a ball of fried risotto, containing a sauce and typically a cheese. Our suppli was traditional with a tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. From there, we moved on to a norcineria or butchery where no pork will ever be the same. Pierro’s porchetta which is a fatty, saltier pork served with a slice of bread was uncomparable to any I have ever had. My personal favorite of the food tour was Stephano’s Trappizzino shop. A trappizzino is basically a triangle shaped pizza pocket that can be filled with virtually anything, but common fillings included eggplant parmesan, chicken cacchitora and meatball.Our food tour to Trastevere conveyed the culture of a distinct district found within Rome in terms of eating styles and daily life. It was apparent that in Trastevere they enjoy socializing with each other and function as a community as well as emphasize developing a sophisticated palate that they can deliver to their customers.
Later on in the week, we visited the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) located in central Rome. FAO as I learned from Ange our tour guide, was developed after World War II in an effort to create a millennium free from hunger and poverty. Therefore, on October 16, 1945, 44 governments signed a constitution for the new UN agency of the Food and Agriculture Organization. These governments then created a mandate which focused on eradicating poverty and freeing humanity from hunger. These mandates were translated in six different languages which were those deemed the most commonly spoken; Spanish, French, Arabic, Chinese, English and Russian. FAO is one of three food related agencies located in Rome and acts as a neutral forum for international collaboration whether that is regarding the design of guidelines, regulations or laws. Ange then took us to see a diagram that represented the 17 sustainable development goals which were established in New York at a national assembly. Out of the 17, Rome is currently focusing on zero hunger and ridding of poverty. But she mentioned that there is an intersectionality between all goals and these aren’t necessarily goals between countries. Instead, countries can choose to highlight certain goals at different times.
When considering FAO’s role in culture, one does not have to look far. Within the organization itself, there are individuals from throughout the world who have come to work for the agency. Ange, our tour guide, migrated from Rwanda, Africa and there are others just like her. She mentioned that although they may all have different backgrounds or speak different languages, they all contribute something different to the workplace. Combined, their efforts better their mission to eradicate poverty and hunger worldwide and in their own backyard.
Although my time in Italy may have come to an end, the friendships, memories and knowledge gained will never fade. Studying abroad has not only made me more culturally sensitive, but also instilled in me a desire to make sure that when I travel, I take every opportunity to learn something about the culture. There are too many times I travel, but leave without anything but pictures of the beautiful views. I’m not saying it’s not important to take it all in, but do so in a way that betters your understanding and appreciation of where you are standing.
