David Bertschinger is a KWC junior majoring in physics. He is spending the Spring 2010 semester studying in Rome. He will be providing regular updates to KWConnect. Click here for an aggregate page of all his posts through the semester (newest posts at the top). View a larger gallery of his photos on KWC’s Flickr channel.

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“In restless dreams I walk alone, narrow streets of cobblestone.”

Paul Simon penned these words over forty years ago in the immortal classic ‘The Sound of Silence,’ but they have resonated with me over the past weeks I’ve spent on the other side of the Atlantic. Until today, I have been walking through a dream, always expecting to walk around the corner and see a distinctly American world once again.

However, there is no America to be found. Even the McDonald placard has been replaced with McItaly. The narrow streets, alleys and tall ancient buildings box me in like an architectural canyon. I let the flat, snow-covered farmland of northern Italy remind me of Illinois as the endless bus rides ship us from destination to destination. Every new stranger’s voice takes me farther from home as they chat in a language
that is still mostly gibberish to me.

Now, walk down the cobblestone, breathe the air and see Italy from the ground up with me.

The biggest difference between Italy and the United States … isn’t. Everything is smaller here. The streets, the cars, the stores, the restaurants, even the bathrooms are all notably diminutive. The average American driver would tremble at the thought of navigating the narrow and packed lanes of traffic that spider-web through the cities of Italy.

But even our coach (private tour buses) drivers deftly maneuver amongst the Fiats and Alfa Romeos through tight corners and roundabouts. Pedestrians have to be as fearless as the drivers when crossing streets, for they have no right-of-way but what they boldly claim for themselves by stepping into the crosswalk.

Off the streets, the stores are built into the old architecture of the city and some could not even fit 10 people who have no personal space issues. Not to be alarmed — there are many comfortable sit-down restaurants, café’s and bars where standing elbow to elbow is not required. However, you will get acquainted with those you sit with, as playing “footsie”, bumping arms and tapping knee caps is unavoidable at the small tables.

Public bathrooms are generally engineered so that there is enough room for the door to open inwards and just miss the fixtures, and no more. Getting in one requires mild contortionism at times.

Although, as a future engineer and overall practical person, I cannot solidly object to this efficiency of space.

Italians take great pride in their work. The squares (piazza) in Firenze house many street merchants and outdoor markets, where shop owners set up stands to display and sell their goods. While there are many souvenirs stands, others mainly include leather goods (jackets, gloves, wallets, purses) and scarves. When you barter with any of the store owners, they always detail the products and sing their praises as fine craftsmanship. They are eager to say how many generations have been in their business and to make you appreciate their work.

The culture, history and very atmosphere of Italy are vibrant and rich, but different from anything we’re used to in America. The true sights of a country are not found at the tourist-touted landmarks, but right on the street, feet on the cobblestone, walking through the dream of seeing the world.

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February 1st marked the start of my first full calendar month away from home and outside the United States. It’s easy to forget that I’m in a foreign country until I step outside and no one is speaking English. School is still uneventful and tiresome. I very much enjoy the first teacher, as she explains grammar concepts very well, and with some English if we need it. The second teacher knows hardly any English and only explains things in Italian. While being immersed in a language is the best way to learn it, no one learns to swim by being thrown in the deep end while someone shouts instructions from the lifeguard stand. That’s what it feels like anyway.

This afternoon, I researched a lot on the ski trip to Interlaken that we’re planning in a few weeks. I’m getting really pumped about hitting the slopes at Jungfrau

Tuesday was one of the best days I’ve had since I’ve gotten here. Class was nothing to sneeze at, although I’m still blowing my nose like it’s my job. After class, we went to the academic gallery and saw the original Statue of David in all his Apollo-esque glory.

The highlight of my day came afterwards though, when I walked with some friends up to Piazza di Michelangelo, a square up on a hill at the northwest corner of Firenze, overlooking the city. It was the most beautiful sight that I’ve seen since being in the duomo. Words and not even pictures can truly describe the view.

 

 The next day, we took another bus trip to a winery near Sienna. The wine tasting definitely was the highlight of the day. We sampled four different wines while we were there, and my table got seconds. The bus ride back was loud…and then quiet.

Thursday saw much rain and cloudiness to cover Firenze, and the extra two hours of class did not help anyone’s mood. Friday was our last day of class. I went to the first session with Constanza to review for our final. That evening we signed forms in preparation for going to Roma, and received a map, more housing info and a bus ticket.

Saturday was one of the longest days I’ve had thus far. I was up early at the usual time to eat breakfast, pack the last few things, and check out of my room. I then headed over to the school early so I could do some extra study for the final. The test itself was very straightforward and I feel confident that I did well.

Kids slowly drifted back to the hotel with food, preparing to leave on one of four buses, departing at fifteen minute intervals. Last night we learned our bus assignments, made in accordance with our housing. I grabbed lunch at a kebob place down the street from our hotel, and enjoyed my last meal in Firenze. The bus ride to Rome turned into the most successful bus nap I’ve had in a while. We parked on the southwestern outskirts of the city, where AIFS coordinators had taxis coming in at a relatively constant flow rate, each designated to take us to our various apartments.

The five of us finally got our taxis and got to our apartment, and it was absolutely the coolest flat I have ever seen. We have two large common areas, a kitchen, and three bedrooms. The walkthrough of our apartment is as follows (skip to the next paragraph if you don’t want to read this): there is a dining room area as the first room when you enter; on the opposing corner, you walk down the hallway, there is a bathroom with a tub and a washing machine on the right, then the kitchen on the right, two steps down the large living room on the left; straight ahead is one of the double bedrooms, and to the right, through the kitchen and left, is the single bedroom; right and into the living room, you walk across the room, and there is a very narrow, very steep, concrete spiral staircase; down just a few steps is a bathroom that redefines the word tiny; the whole room is a small shower, with a sink and toilet included; up the stairs is another double bedroom.

 Through an almost hour-long discussion process that is hardly worth repeating, I got the single room. The five of us unpacked and moved in, something I have been looking forward to for almost three weeks. We then walked down to a local supermarket to buy some groceries – a convenient five-minute trot from our flat. After stocking up, we then tap-danced around each other in the kitchen, fixing our pastas, salads and sandwiches before sitting around our dining room table, eating together as flat-mates for the first and most likely last time.

 After dinner I grabbed a map and plotted a surprisingly short route to the Vatican. Standing in front of St. Peter’s Basilica was one of the most humbling and awe inspiring experiences of my Catholic life. I absolutely cannot wait to go back (as I will many times in the next three months) and even go inside, and assist at Holy Mass there.

 On a side note, “when in Rome” has quickly become the most overused phrase in our group …

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David Bertschinger is a KWC junior majoring in physics. He is spending the Spring 2010 semester studying in Rome. He will be providing regular updates to KWConnect. Check the KWC in Rome page for a compilation of all his updates and photos. 

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Tuesday, January 26 

Tuesday, January 19, was the last day I woke up in the United States until this spring. Once we arrived at St. Louis International Airport, I got my baggage checked into United, said goodbye to my parents and headed through security. It was hard saying goodbye, but the reality did not hit me in full until much later. 

The flight to Chicago was uneventful and sunny once we rose above the low cloud ceiling. At O’Hare it was a very long walk to my gate, which was thankfully not in the international terminal. It struck me as I plopped down at my gate, that for all the car, train and plane riding I had done in the past 24 hours, I still had not left the state of Illinois. It also hit me that this terminal was the last sight I would have of America until May. Once on the plane, I got comfortable and was served dinner. The cabin lights were significantly dimmed afterwards, and I slept on and off for the next four hours. 

We were woken up at 0630 GMT (0030 CST) when the cabin lights came on and breakfast was served. Then, as we began our descent into Heathrow International, I watched the plane fly right into the sunrise. It was so beautiful to see the light break across where we were going as we left the darkness behind us. Unfortunately, this sight was not mine to see for very long as our descent took us below London’s thick cloud cover. 

Once we landed, I met up with my AIFS hotel representative who had already wrangled three other girls, with me being the last on his list to shuttle to the hotel. The drive over there was long, but I enjoyed every minute. London itself is a fascinating city, albeit rainy and cold at the moment. Motorcycles zipped in between and in front of cars, reckless driving by any American policeman’s judgment, but commonplace and very acceptable here. Our hotel is quaint and small. The lifts (elevators) carry on the crisp politeness of its citizens, announcing the floor and door openings and closings. 

After chilling in my room, eight of us set out for some real British food. We found a small pub and enjoyed salad, sandwiches and burgers. There was a meet-and-greet social at the hotel bar/restaurant, which was fun, I met a lot of people and I even remember a few of their names. I met another group of kids and we went exploring the area around our hotel in search of some good London food. 

The typical London tourist photo ...

 Thursday began after a short night of sleep (still pretty jetlagged). The entire group met down in the lobby for a coach tour of London’s main tourist attractions. Our first stop was Buckingham Palace, where the Union Jack flag atop the huge building told us that the Queen was not there at the time. We drove around the city, around Trafalgar Square with its statues, fountains and sizable art museum. Other sites on our tour included St. Paul’s Cathedral, Parliament, Westminster Cathedral, the Tower Bridge and Covent Gardens.

Buckingham Palace

Tower Bridge

Westminster Abbey

 After the tour, we were free to explore London on our own. A convenient all day pass for public transportation (buses and “the tube”) was available for us to purchase, which I did. I bought a pasti for lunch, and it was delicious! Me and a few other colleagues made our way back over to Trafalgar square to get some better pictures and explore the art museum. Afterwards we headed south towards Big Ben and Parliament. After asking a few “bobbies” (policemen) for some guidance, we found the visitor entrance to Parliament and, after going through security and turning over our cameras, purses and cell phones, we were able to sit in on a debate of the House of Lords. Unfortunately, none of us were caught up from jetlag, so sitting in one place for any length of time remained incredibly sleep-inducing. Also, no photography was allowed in either the art museum or any part of Parliament, so I apologize for the complete lack of pictures to go along with this section.

Once outside, we boarded a double-decker bus just for the heck of it, and to find somewhere else random to go. Some of us headed over via London’s Underground to King’s Cross, the train station made famous by Harry Potter as having the magical entrance known as “Platform 9 ¾ .” The “tubes” are extremely crowed at the end of the work day, and I became very “close” to many Londoners on the way back to the hotel that night. And yes, I had fish and chips for dinner.

Going to Hogwarts, anyone?

0430 came was too early and the bus ride over to Heathrow did not afford any extra relaxation. Walking through Heathrow with more sleep under my belt made me appreciate just how modern it looks and how cool it actually is. I believe I have a new favorite airport. Apparently, at Heathrow, they do not list the gate of a flight until under an hour before take off, and even so, the gate is only open for check in for half an hour. The flight to Pisa was beautiful, as I got a clear view of the French countryside and, later, the Alps. The airport at Pisa was small; I was surprised it had ever seen an Airbus 321 like ours before.

First view of the Alps and Italy

 The Italian landscape was beautiful, but I wanted sleep so I took advantage of the two hour ride to Florence. Our hotel is a four star relic, very upscale and very old. My particular room is not large, but has two levels, with one bed and a bathroom on the first floor, and two beds and another bathroom above. The city’s modern stores are housed in ancient architecture; the streets are canyons with solid walls of four-story buildings that range from shops or eateries to offices and apartments.

Saturday morning, we walked to a 17th century mansion where we gathered in a large common room for icebreaker games. Yes, they were lame. However, during the course of this, I met a girl from Kansas State University who is majoring in chemical engineering. It was so refreshing to talk to someone who is both from the Midwest and a major science/math nerd like me. Lunch was an amazing three-course meal, with lasagna, chicken (again) and a delicious dessert that seemed part coffee cake, part pudding. The early afternoon consisted of various members of the AIFS Rome staff going over policy.

Once all this was over, we had the rest of the afternoon free until dinner at the hotel at 8. I went off exploring Florence for the entire time, finding the cathedral, other churches, pastry shops, some yummy gelato, and finally accidentally stumbling across the Statue of David. Time advanced so much more slowly than it ever had for me before. Every time I checked my watch after what should have been over half an hour in my mind, was never over ten minutes. Italy is wonderful…

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David Bertschinger is a KWC junior majoring in physics. He is spending the Spring 2010 semester studying abroad in Rome. He will be providing regular updates to KWConnect.

Filling out the AIFS application was not as complicated as you would think. They required one brief essay and one teacher recommendation, along with forms to be filled out by other teachers and faculty. Plane tickets, meal vouchers and housing are all included in the AIFS package. I enrolled by an early deadline of July 1st (the regular one is October 15th) to receive a promotional offer of 200 Euros free spending money when I get to Italy. After I was accepted into the program, there were more forms to fill out and much more literature to read.

The biggest challenge was to obtain a visa, but even this went without complication. AIFS supplied a guide to filling out the application for a visa. The process includes required travel to the Italian consulate that covers your jurisdiction. In my case, the consulate that covers Kentucky is in Detroit. This process can only be completed within 90 days before leaving, so my father and I went there in mid-November, after AIFS supplied me with the necessary forms and letters. 

I have spent the past months reading up on Italy and Rome, organizing things to pack and eagerly awaiting my plane ride out of the United States. Just recently I received my final package from AIFS, which included my plane tickets, an itinerary, and contact information for overseas and of my fellow travelers.

Now all that lies before me is to pack for this adventure and board a plane in St. Louis and then again in Chicago that will take me across the Atlantic. I will first spend a few days in London before flying to Florence, Italy, for a two-week orientation program, and then on to Rome to start classes for the semester at the beginning of February.

Wish me luck, and be sure to check out my future notes about my adventures over there!

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David Bertschinger is a KWC junior majoring in physics. He is spending the Spring 2010 semester studying abroad on the campus of Richmond University in Rome. He will be providing regular updates to KWConnect. This is his first installment.

Studying abroad has long been a goal of mine. Over three years ago, I began my college search (September of 2006). Little did I know a hunt that took me around the entire Midwest would land me less than three miles from my house at Kentucky Wesleyan.

From the very beginning, one of my important criteria for a college was a good study abroad program. I even applied for a study abroad scholarship at the University of Illinois, a top contender at the time. I finally settled on Kentucky Wesleyan, and this goal was set aside for a time, but not forgotten.

Early on, my plan was only to stay at KWC for three years or less. This set back my study abroad semester to when I was to go to the aforementioned University of Illinois. However, when my plans changed to stay and graduate from KWC, I realized my study abroad plans would also have to be revised. Numerous changes in my academic schedule made this seem like a daunting task.

In the middle of my sophomore year, my parents drew my attention to the imperative nature of finalizing my academic schedule so that I could spend a semester in another country. After many visits with the Academic Dean and emails to my advisor, Dr. Johnson on sabbatical at the University of Kentucky, my class schedule for the next two years was chiseled out so that a semester of my junior year was freed from classes at KWC. However, this required me to take two upper level classes over the summer (Calculus IV and Differential Equations) and pack 18 hours into this past fall semester.

In February, I obtained an application for study abroad from Pam Parr, our academic support advisor at KWC. KWC required an application, mostly for scholarship purposes. I had looked over a program book from the American Institute for Foreign Study, and I decided on their Rome experience. While it was a top contender with other locations, the class “Religions and Cults of Ancient Rome” offered there sold me on that program. Needless to say, I am enrolled in it right now.

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