Studying abroad in Rome was by far one of the most invigorating and rewarding experiences of my life. I returned a more confident, strong and accepting person. Ever since my years in high school I have always been intrigued by the differences array of European cultures – particularly Italian culture. I took Italian language classes and read as much as I could about the country, but I knew in order to really understand the culture I would have to live it.
I'll admit, my initial experiences were not always positive, even a bit embarrassing, but these experiences led me to become comfortable in my new home and much more curious. For instance, on one of my first evenings out in Rome I ordered a pizza at a local restaurant. The waiter kept asking me if I wanted a margarita, and my insistent reply was 'no, no cocktail... pizza.' He then told me that margarita was Italian for pizza. Or checking out at my first trip to the market the grocer tells me I must buy the plastic bags for my groceries. Who knew? At the time these experiences made me question what I was getting myself into, but in reality these were lessons that were teaching me real Italian life and ultimately building my confidence.
It didn't take me long to begin to understand one of the biggest differences between American and Italian lifestyles – pace of life. At first, I couldn't believe shops closed in the middle of the afternoon, school was let out for a period of time and people took a long break or “siesta” from work. When dining at a restaurant the service is sloooow, as you're expected to thoroughly enjoy your meal for [at least] an hour. There are no drive-throughs to grab your morning coffee, and no one-stop warehouse sized supermarkets. I had read about this relaxed lifestyle, but once I was living it, I truly understood and embraced it.
Another aspect of Italian culture I embraced was cooking and the abundance of fresh foods. Before this experience my cooking abilities consisted of, well, not much at all. At home I avoided the vegetables section of the supermarket and went right for the frozen foods section. In Italy, it's almost impossible to eat this way because Italians avoid processed foods. Food shopping takes place mostly at open-air markets, which consist of fresh fish, meats, vegetables and fruits. Not long after venturing into the markets I was cooking bruchetta, roasted vegetables, pasta dishes with scallops, mussels and clams, even calamari. Once class was out, my daily trips to the open-air markets were always exciting and one of my fondest memories. I have even impressed my family and friends with my self-taught cooking skills.
While studying in any foreign county, I believe interacting with as many locals as possible is crucial to getting the most out of your experience. Aside from my Italian classes at school, my best Italian teacher was the owner of a small convenience shop below my apartment. After about a month of living in Rome I visited his shop daily sometimes just to say “Hi” and practice conversation in Italian. He was just as curious about current events in America, mainly the upcoming Obama/McCain presidential election as I was about everything Italian. One of my hesitations before leaving for Rome was if Italians would accept me as an American. From the many interactions I had with locals, I learned that the vast majority of Italians are open, accepting and curious about American foreigners.
During the four months I lived abroad, I had the opportunity to visit many other European countries. This was the first time I was able to experience international airports, customs and RyanAir. Planning, organizing and dealing firsthand with cancelled flights or confusing foreign transportation systems on top of a language barrier has given me tremendous confidence in traveling. I honestly feel like I can take on any journey – whatever the mode(s) of transportation, which is something I couldn't say before my time abroad.
I believe I learned more during my four months studying and living in Rome than I did during my four years of college. Rome is one of the most beautiful cities and most definitely like an open book – you walk down the street and its a history lesson in itself. It was invigorating to be living in the 'cradle of civilization' and surrounded by 2,000 year old monuments. I strongly encourage everyone to take the opportunity to study abroad. You will not only learn about other cultures, but so much about yourself that you wouldn't be able to on a short vacation. I gained independence, personal insight and relationships I will always cherish.
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