Rome Is Where the Heart Is: Rome Has Stolen My Heart

Today a group of about 40 of us started our study abroad at the U of A Rome Center. We met with our group in a piazza about 5 minutes from our apartment. A professor guided us to the Rome Center and it was through lots of narrow streets with weird turns and interesting landmarks so hopefully we can remember how to walk there! I know that this is going to be the best learning experience for me already though because everything the professors pointed out along our walks I drank in. They know so much about the city, it wouldn't be the same experience without them.

When we got to the "school" it wasn't really a school. It was an old building that was partly rented out to people to live in and has some classrooms and design rooms for architecture students. It was very Roman. So all morning we listened to information about the villas we are going to visit, the classes we are taking, and the rules and regulations. We had one break for lunch and we got gelato (chocolate hazelnut) and walked to the Vatican. My two classes are going to be so great! Both teachers have some lecture each time we meet and then we will go to some sites. For my art history class we have to write papers and memorize some art but I think overall it's really going to help us focus on certain pieces we get to see in Rome and develop our thoughts about them. My world civilizations class is going to be so cool. We are only going to focus on Rome and will have some readings but we only have two papers. I'm probably going to need to work harder than I anticipate but it is going to be so much fun no matter what work I'm doing because I'm in Rome! Everything is so applicable!

Once we finished up the orientation of our study abroad experience, we decided to join the bookmaking group because the professor was going to take them to the Pantheon. We followed and went in a few churches and she explained the Caravaggios. I don't know much about art other than French artists so it was so fascinating to listen in. The Pantheon was awesome too! It's amazing how such old architecture can be preserved in a modern city. After that we moved on to see the Trevi Fountain which was even more spectacular than I have imagined or seen in movies. Anne and I both tossed in the one cent euros we had. I made three different wishes :) We got more gelato too and tiramisu is definitely my favorite so far! I walked around all afternoon with Kat, Ellie, Anne, and Krissy. We are all roommates and everyone is super cool. We all went into some shops and I had to buy some pants and a jacket since it's chilly here! It hasn't gotten higher than 60s and everyone said it would be hot so we only brought shorts...oh well. We also went to the Spanish stairs and climbed to the top for a really cool view of the city skyline.

After that we were pretty tired and I'm pretty sure we walked over 6 miles today. But we packed in a bunch of the tourist parts of Rome so we can enjoy more of the local sites. When we finally made it back to the apartments we enjoyed leftovers from the restaurant last night in the oven we had to light ourselves...we're learning! I will also mention that there is a very intricate recycling system here that is kind of annoying but we're getting used to it.

I am having so much fun getting to know everyone and getting to know the city! I have great expectations for the month ahead :)

Ciao!