Before specifically answering the
posed question, I think It is important to first discuss what interested me
into thinking about coming on the Rome Study Abroad Program in the first place.
When I was a senior in high school, there were a couple schools that I was
interested in committing to. These schools included Bowling Green University,
Ashland University, and Walsh University. I had connections to some people at
Walsh University and was informed that Walsh had a very avid study abroad program.
Due to the connections I had with the university as well as the programs that
Walsh had to offer, I decided that I wanted to attend Walsh University.
After deciding to attend Walsh, my
freshman year went by in a blink of an eye. During the end of freshman year,
the application was available to apply to Rome for the 2015 study abroad
program. Looking back at why I decided to come to the school in the first
place, I couldn’t pass up such a unique opportunity which is potentially a once
in a lifetime trip to take. It was much more than just a split second decision;
it was a well thought out “dream” that I wanted to make a reality. I wanted to
explore a different part of the world, observe and partake in a different
culture, meet new people, and just experience what life is like in different
parts of the world.
With that being said, my experiences
with Rome even in these short few days I have been here have been everything I
had expected it to be like and more. I cant wait to experience more of this
wonderful country. On the plane ride home reflecting back on the trip, I hope
to keep the feeling that Barzini mentioned on page 8 and 9. “There is something
mysteriously significant about the behavior of many of them. A mild frenzy takes
most of them and transforms them once they cross the Italian border. It resembles
the irresistible excitement which captures some living organisms and makes them
forget themselves and everything else. They make friends with all sorts of
people. They look at all things with indulgent and dewy eyes, apparently ready
to love, admire, understand, or at least excuse and forgive almost everything,
the good, the bad, the indifferent, and the repugnant.”
This quote is a perfect example of
my attitude in relation to this trip. I want to be able to feel that
overwhelming change of excitement that I obtained over the course of the trip.
This excitement will come from those new friends I make, the things I learn
with my “indulgent and dewy eyes” and my eagerness to “love, admire, and
understand” Rome, its history, and its culture. I want to experience the life
changing satisfaction/appreciation of going blindly into a historic city, and learning
their ways of life.
