Traveling is certainly an important part of study abroad, yet an aspect that can prove to be both enriching and overwhelming. Of course, studying here in Rome in and of itself is a form of travel – quite literally flying over the ocean to learn in an entirely new place – but in this case, I’m referring to the study abroad phenomenon of weekending. It seems so romantic: Fridays to Sundays booked with flights and tours and hostels, packing backpacks, catching trains and buses to the next country over. Fun, yes – but go every weekend, and you’ll realize how much you’re missing out on here in Rome. I’ve done a lot of traveling in the past few weeks to amazing places, from Kotor to Berlin to Amsterdam, all incredible cities which I thoroughly enjoyed, but coming back to Rome always feels, in a way, like coming back home.
Things are stable here, comfortable now after being in the city so long. It’s the little moments of the city you miss out on when you’re moving so constantly – the long dinners with roommates, the evening walks. Even something as simple as the lovely weather in autumn, whereas everywhere else I’ve been feels like stark winter, is a blessing.
During the week, I’m usually at school in class or working on my projects in our art studios.
In my free time, I’ve been trying to slow down, take things in, and especially so now that I have only a month left on the program.I’ve thought about how I can be more present, activities which I can do during the week and weekend which bring me back to the beautiful city where I am and help me focus on mindfulness.
Evening walks around Villa Borghese, a huge, sprawling park near Temple Rome’s campus, help to bring me back into nature and center myself.
Filled with green space, lakes, and so many creatures, it’s one of my favorite places to go in all of Rome. The park itself is nearly the size of my entire neighborhood of Prati!
It’s a great place to go when you feel overwhelmed or just want to unwind. The trees, huge and fantastical, adorn miles of biking and walking trails.
Going to museums is also a great way to explore Rome’s history and reinvigorate oneself in the beauty of the city; many around the city are even free to visit with the MIC Card, a city museum card earmarked for students in art classes at Temple Rome.
A full body sculpture from above in Rome’s museums
Throughout the span of Villa Borghese there are a number of museums, my favorite being the National Gallery of Contemporary and Modern Art, or GNAM.
Of course, even just being at home is special in such a place as Rome. If you choose to go through with program-specific housing, there are a number of different types of housing which can be provided. I was assigned an apartment, which I’ve come to love dearly.
I’ve been enjoying spending time here in particular, especially looking at the view from the window at night. The windows are huge and invite in lots of natural light, and our kitchen balcony is spectacular to hang around while friends are cooking. My roommates and I often have group dinners, where we’ll cook together, set the table, and share a meal over Italian music and silly conversation. These are the moments of my study abroad experience which remind me that taking it slow can be just as and even more incredible than seeing it all. Find the ways to take it all in, and you’ll be handsomely rewarded!
Studying abroad has given me a larger appreciation for different cultures and the European way of life. If you’re interested in studying abroad in Rome, check out the Temple Rome program page on the Education Abroad website for more information.