Never did I expect that I would be
sitting in a classroom covered in frescoes, taking Italian history, language
and culture courses in the heart of the eternal city- let alone for over 4
months. I never thought the Vatican City would be a simple 10 minute walk from
my apartment door. Even more so, I never imagined that I would be able to gain
this much international experience before I graduated college. Yet, this has
become my reality, and I am beyond happy it has! Sure, the journey to get here
was not always easy, the paperwork isn’t any fun, it’s stressful, etc…
But the
lifelong friends and memories I have from this trip are more than worth any
stress or worry. Living in another country is not something that everyone gets
to do, and it allows you to fully immerse yourself in the culture unlike
stopping by for a week. I am forever changed through this experience.
My sophomore year, I had begun to look
at different study abroad programs in the study abroad database. Being an
international relations major, that was the top thing on my mind to do during
my college career. However, after searching through pages and pages of
programs, I was at a loss as to what program I would choose, and if I should go
somewhere to study French, my main language, or try something completely new.
On top of this, trying to figure out what classes would fit in where, and yeah,
you probably understand a little bit. So after narrowing it down to a couple
programs, one to France and one to Belgium, I thought I had it figured out. But
once those fell through, I didn’t really know what to do.
That’s when I
received an email about the Rome Center’s program for the spring semester. All
of the classes would transfer perfectly, and I didn’t really have to figure
much out by myself. So I began filling out the paperwork and various
scholarship applications to come here, still doubting that I would come.
However, after a couple months of frantically figuring out paperwork,
passports, applications… I received emails for 2 scholarships/fellowships. This
is when I decided that I was supposed to be coming to Rome, even though I spoke
no Italian whatsoever. And this is where the journey truly began.
The couple months before you study
abroad are really weird. It’s a strange stage where you know you will be seeing
the people staying at home in a couple months, but you still feel like you need
to say goodbye to them. Everyone wants to do the whole “last dinner together,
last coffee together” or whatever you’re into kind of things. I’m not
complaining, I loved being able to spend this sweet time with all of my
friends, but you almost feel like your life is about to take a huge step in
another direction. Which, it kind of does, but in the best way possible.
After
the goodbyes, you go home and pack for a few days, and then you wait. Wait to
get on the plane, wait to start your new adventure. And before you know it,
it’s there. You’re on the plane to your new home for 4 months (sometimes more,
sometimes less). If you don’t know hardly anyone in your program, this can be
terrifying. For me, I barely knew any of the people I would be living with. I
didn’t know the language, or really Rome at all for that matter- I had never
really even considered Rome to be on my list of top places to visit. Yet, here
I was, sitting in the Chicago airport, waiting for my flight to Rome. It was
such a cool feeling.
Then comes the part where you get to
wherever you’re going. When the plane coasted over the edge of Italy, right
over the Mediterranean, I couldn’t believe I was there. I think that’s
something some people experience when they are studying abroad- a sense of
dreaming the whole time they’re wherever they are. Finding a cab to my
apartment, mispronouncing my street name, getting unpacked, etc… It was all
overwhelming and yet I couldn’t help but smile the whole time.
My first days
consisted of exploring the city, seeing all of the sites a typical person would
see in Rome, and now I try to go and see places I haven’t seen yet or that not
many tourists really get to see. I try to take advantage of my days here.
So, I won’t give you a full rundown of
my time here, but I must say that this experience has probably been the best
time of my life. I have gained a newfound confidence in what I am capable of- I
can now at least order and have basic conversations in Italian, I’ve made
friends from all over the world both in Italy and through travelling, I can figure
out almost any metro, I love any kind of food… One of the things I will miss
most in the states…, I can talk to almost anyone… The list goes on and on.
My
biggest piece of advice is do the things that scare you on your study abroad.
Try to push yourself further out of your comfort zone every day. Don’t be
afraid to do things by yourself, if you want to discover the city or see some
exhibit- do it. You will regret the things you don’t do and the people you
don’t meet. Take advantage of every second of your time abroad because before
you know it, it’ll be over and you will probably be crying over a bowl of
pasta(or whatever food corresponds with where you are going) at home because
you miss the place you left your heart.
My biggest piece of advice is- DO IT.
It is possible and it’s going to be one of the biggest highlights of your life.
If you’re considering going to Rome and want to ask questions or of places to
go/things to do, feel free to email me at mrm034@uark.edu!
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Want to start your own journey?
Check out http://studyabroad.uark.edu/romecenter for more information on the U of A Rome Center options.
If you need help getting started with study abroad, take a look at this: http://studyabroad.uark.edu/getting-started/index.php
Check out http://studyabroad.uark.edu/romecenter for more information on the U of A Rome Center options.
If you need help getting started with study abroad, take a look at this: http://studyabroad.uark.edu/getting-started/index.php
