I know it may seem more cliché, but how can you come to Europe and not go to Italy? This was my second time in Rome; however, it was an entirely different experience. Never had I imagined myself able to travel someplace foreign on my own. Figuring out trains, metro stops, and all the logistics that come with traveling can seem quite overwhelming. However, once you find yourself able to successfully create your journey, it makes you feel independent and well, like an adventurist.
We flew into airport on Friday, and spent the weekend walking around the entire city. Rome is so different from Lausanne. The streets are bustling with crowds of people, cars honking in every direction, and the smell of freshly baked pizza seeping through the restaurant window panes. With frequent stops for gelato, we followed our maps to some of the major tourist sites including the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, Vatican City, Roman Forum, the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, and the Fountain of Four Rivers.
Although quite a touristic site, Rome was a great first trip to adapt myself to the culture of traveling. It definitely set the tone for the rest of my trips in the semester. Most of all, I found it incredible to finally see the places I have studied in my humanities and art courses in real life. Having the background knowledge of the historic sites I was now visiting really helped me link the importance of each monument, and imagine myself physically present in the history of Rome. Understanding the impact of the history of a place turns even the most touristic sites into a unique, and special experience.
-Priyanka S.
