Of Ends and Beginnings – Italia, Weeks 12-16…the Final Chapter
Research papers have dominated April. I have an 8-12 page one due in all three of my classes. I journeyed to Assisi on April 10th. It was a fascinating town and seems to have more churches per capita than Rome. I personally did not think that was possible. I found several interesting museums, one of which was the excavations of tunnel systems used by the early Church, similar to the catacombs.
After another week of papers, AIFS had its spring dinner party. Almost the entire program attended the banquet thrown for us at the Hotel Marriott on the seventh floor balcony. We had a very good time.
As soon as I returned, it was back to research papers. But they were soon finished and I took my final in Italian that week as well. At the end of the week, some family friends vacationing in Italy arrived in Rome and I enjoyed their company for the couple days they spent in the Eternal City.
The last week of April and the final week of classes was one of the easiest. I went to see the Holy Father twice that week, both at his Sunday and Wednesday audiences. It was such a wonderful experience to hear him speak to us in seven different languages (English included) and reveal his love of cappuccino. Towards the end of the week, half the program roster crammed themselves into our apartment for a party.
Finals consumed me from Monday to Wednesday. I’ve never had such mixed feelings about being finished with a semester as this one. I’ve spent the last few days walking all over the city, buying last minute souvenirs, seeing all my favorite sights, just one last time.
But three months ago today, I tossed a coin in the Trevi fountain, and by local legend, that ensures my return to Rome. So maybe I’m not saying goodbye to Rome, but just “see you later.”
Home – it is both what I leave today, and what I return to …
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Wow! It seems like you had an amazing experience in Italy.Too bad your last days in Italy were consumed with finals and papers. Do you think you will ever go back?
Great pics. I’ve always wanted to go to Italy and after looking at those pictures I want to go more then ever.
It sound like you had a great time. I wish i could visit Italy. The pictures you took were amazing. What do you think the best thing was while you were in Italy?
I am so glad you have had this opportunity. I know that you must have left Italy thinking very diffrently than when you arrived. My nephew was stationed in Italy with the Airforce for two years. What have you taken away that might have changed the way you have viewed school or a future career?
Thanks for all your comments!
Tiffany: Yes, I absolutely plan on returning. As much as would like to say that will be in the near future, I cannot, but I hope that it will be soon.
Jake: Any opportunity to travel should not be passed up without good reason. The world may be small, but there is still magic and adventure to be had.
Justin: It’s hard to find one thing about Italy that was the best. I would have to say its history intrigued me the most. The story of that city goes back thousands of years, which is hard for any American to understand, as we barely have 200 years of history to our country.
Kristy: Studying and traveling abroad has most certainly changed my outlook and perspective on many things. One of those things has been my career, as I strongly desire to work with an international company in the future, with the hopes of returning to Europe and Italy, even on a more permanent basis.