Because my last blog was written on the floor of my apartment I figured I would switch things up a bit. The trick is to write in Word and then upload the blog at school when you actually have internet! Being in the heart of Italy it was hard to pick just one place, but ladies and gentlemen… I come to you now from the Piazza del Popolo!! I’ve started a list of places to write my blog, and I’m thinking maybe the Trevi Fountain next time 😉
Here is a picture of the entrance to the Piazza del Popolo taken by my friend, Kate Donatiello (expect to see many more of her awesome photos in upcoming posts!)
I find myself more often than not just standing on a sidewalk looking up at all of the beautiful architecture. I know I stick out to the Italians like a sore thumb, so hey, why not embrace it? I don’t want to miss anything while I’m here just because I want to “look cool.”
Now a picture from inside the Piazza del Popolo (which translates to the “People’s Square” in Italian.) I actually took this one with my photography class, the goal was to use a longer shutter speed to capture movement (note how the girl walking is a little blurry, that’s the point!)
Anyway, on to my adventures in Rome.
Classes finally started, and I have to say I definitely underestimated the work. In a perfect world where this was more of a four month vacation rather than school all of my professors would make classes “optional” and as for test? Please, there would be no tests. Everyone would get A’s and B’s. Sadly this isn’t the case. And to anyone who wants to study abroad, know that the class work is the same as it is in the States. I would even say school is a little bit harder here, not because of the work, but with all of the opportunities to travel and explore, it’s hard sometimes to bring yourself to the reality that you are here for school.
But speaking of traveling, this past week the schools computer lab has been filled with students booking planes, trains, and hostels to over a dozen different destinations. Being able to book transportation and a place to stay (and doing it all for the cheapest price without getting scammed!) is something that I think everyone should learn how to do before they graduate college. There’s a certain sense of accomplishment that comes with a trip when you know that you were the one who orchestrating it all and it all came together so nicely.
Being a business major it’s sometimes tough to take classes that are just “for fun.” Two of the five classes I’m taking are Photography and Pop Culture of Modern Italy. I figured what better place to a photography class than Rome? Not only will I learn how to take a good photograph, but I will be able to go home and maybe do the city a little justice when I show all of my friends and family the pictures I’ve taken.
And Pop Culture of Modern Italy? I’ve already mentioned that I don’t exactly fool anyone when it comes to being American. Maybe if this class can’t make me Italian I can at least impress them what I know.
I’ll end this blog with one more piece of advice for anyone thinking about studying abroad in Rome. Bring an umbrella! Bring rain boots! Bring two pairs of rain boots! What I’m trying to get at is that it rains in Rome, a lot. I’ll show you one last picture (I promise) of the Piazza del Popolo, but it’s just to prove my point. When I was sitting in the square writing, this literally showed up out of nowhere. It’s not only important to bring an umbrella with you when you come to Rome, but carry it with you in your backpack wherever you go, trust me!
