Rome Is Where the Heart Is: Arrivederci Roma, Mio Amore

The final day of my study abroad experience in Rome has come to a close. I want to first thank my parents for all their support, both moral and financial, in my travels. I would not have been able to make it here without them. I also want to thank the University of Arkansas for offering this program for the first time this summer. We all took a risk with being the guinea pigs of the program and it was well worth it. Lastly, I want to thank my professors Dr. Jacobs and Dr. McCoy. They put in a lot of work to make this a memorable and applicable learning experience. They were very open to more personal relationships with their students than I have ever experienced and I will always be grateful for that.

This adventure has empowered me in ways I never anticipated. I love going to college in my hometown of Fayetteville more than anything. However, I gained more independence going to school in another country for one month, than I did my freshman year. It was like stepping into a whole other life here in Rome and I have learned so much. This trip has strengthened my identity and confidence in myself. I also got a good taste of apartment life for this upcoming fall. I really learned how to be observant so that I didn't get lost. By the end of the month, I could walk to and from school without really even thinking about it. I gained visual and historical knowledge about a city that I had only read about in books. My fellow students in the program were a treat to get to know. I am looking forward to continuing my friendships with them back in Fayetteville and seeing where they all go from here.

I've compiled a list of some random tips, advice, and information that I've gained through living in Rome:

Be prepared to walk, EVERYWHERE -- The buses are packed and the drivers are crazy on the roads. The taxis are expensive. The metro is not worth it, it doesn't go very many places.
We mapped our route to school and we walked 3 miles a day to and from school.
There are tons of dogs and they're all surprisingly well behaved. Foreign dogs are cuter!
As previously posted about, there is a cat sanctuary! Check it out and donate some money!
Buy as much fruit as you possibly can...it is freakishly sweet.
Don't use a card. Just use cash and try not to have 50s. There are a lot of atms so don't worry about that.
The Italian keyboards aren't structured the same...
My roommates have established that Americans don't recycle enough. We had to get used to their system of disposing of waste in the proper recycling units and there are four types. All have lots of different rules...our rule became, "If you don't know, throw it in the non-recyclable." We also realized just how much we waste when we don't recycle because we went through a LOT of plastic.
You take the trash out every day too. Certain types go out at certain times on certain days. And a mini trash truck comes and picks it up. (think narrow roads so small cars)
Be prepared for the stores having random hours. When their door is open it doesn't necessarily mean they are open. We endured lots of head shakes and "no" gestures when we tried to go in an open door when the place was closed.
The rumor about drying clothes is true. Things take awhile to dry. Sometimes you have to choose between letting in the mosquitoes or letting air circulate to dry your clothes.
The cobblestones will give you ankles of steel.
Only buy as many groceries as you can carry back to the apartment yourself.
Bring your own bags to the grocery. They charge you for them.
Watch the street vendors when the Polizia come by...they run fast.
Search for the 1 euro cappuccinos. They rock.
The tomatoes are better here too...and I don't even like tomatoes.
Subway smells the same in all countries. One time I stopped to fix my shoe and I recognized the smell and looked up...I was in front of a Subway.
If there's a chance of rain--bring a raincoat.
Netflix does not work here.
The post office is useless. You can't buy stamps there or send postcards.
We did see one person in a Chickfila shirt. ;)
The floors are different. Don't be fooled by the "0", it's really the ground floor. So "1" is really the 2nd floor. Don't think about it too hard.
You will become buddy-buddy with the cars in the road. There aren't very many sidewalks.
Little kids saying "ciao" never stops being cute.
Remember when you first went to college your freshman year and you almost put on that freshman 15? Yeah this trip has been that feeling...on crack. I've eaten so much food (and walked it off mostly :P). You feel like you're never going to eat it again and you want to try EVERYTHING. And honestly, you should. You can work out when you get home.
You really learn how to hold your bladder when there are no restrooms in sight. lol.
Overestimate when you estimate your costs for the trip. It feels really good to have left over money at the end.
Make sure you splurge sometimes. A good meal is worth the money at least once.
Now here are my recommendations for cheap but delicious places to eat:

In Trastevere: Carlomenta (we probably ate here at least twice a week every week), and Tony's (we ate here the last night and loved it, wish we'd found it earlier!)
On the way to campus: Forno--best pizza ever
Gelato: Old Bridge by St. Peters -- 1.5 euros for 3 scoops, Grom -- chocolate and raspberry
One really nice night: Antica Pesa in Trastevere was a great splurge. Plus a ton of celebrities had their pictures there so they recommend it too!

I also gotta throw in there that if you come to Rome you should look for Lemon Schweppes (most delicious lemon drink I've ever had), and the Pringles that are olive oil and rosemary.

The last thing that I've really learned on this trip is that I'm not a city girl. Don't get me wrong, Rome is so fun. But, I would rather live in small-town Fayetteville and visit fun cities than live in one all the time. I'll never forget you Rome.
London, I'll see you tomorrow!

Arrivederci!

Some pictures from the last Baroque churches I visited and final pictures with my friends.