Italy, Italy, Italy

             I believe that living in a new culture is one of the most difficult, yet rewarding things a person can do. This summer, I moved to Rome, Italy for six weeks. Leaving the United States completely alone and fully immersing myself in Italian culture was one of the most terrifying experiences of my entire life.

 Busy streets, people everywhere. As I first wandered through the antiquated city, I found my senses on high alert. Surrounded by wonderfully detailed Renaissance churches, buildings, statues, and homes, I didn’t even want to blink my eyes for fear of missing something extraordinary. The eternal city brings with it not only beauty, but depth as well. My nose was daily met with the smells of fresh cheeses, breads, and vegetables, crowds of people, and yes, sometimes garbage. These smells, though occasionally putrid, are a part of the city’s personality.

As the local Romans passed by, hurrying down the sidewalks chattering quickly in Italian or scooting by honking the horns of their mopeds and Smart Cars, I was easily caught up in the hilarious, unique, loud mess that is Rome, Italy.

I was immediately thrown into this crazy Italian culture the moment I stepped off the plane. From the beginning of my trip all the way until the bitter end, I experienced a surge of emotions. At first, I was fearful of loneliness and the unknown. Because I chose to enter this journey on my own, I knew that only I was responsible for getting myself through it. As the fear began to subside, my emotions transformed into pure excitement. Because I was becoming more comfortable in this new environment, my enthusiasm to learn more about the people, food, art, and history continued to grow. Once the familiarity of the city set in, I absolutely fell in love. I loved the craziness in the streets. I loved the delicious food. I loved the beautiful language. I loved the old charm. I simply loved it all. As the last days of my trip quickly approached, I was struck by a constant feeling of sadness. I couldn’t imagine leaving the amazing friends I’d made, the unique city I’d grown to cherish, and the unforgettable journey on which I had traveled so far.

All of these emotions have left me with an unmistakably treasured memory of my time in Italy. From this journey, I learned more than I could ever put into words, both about myself and other people. I learned that every person, culture, and history has something to offer, if you simply look deep enough and remember to keep an open mind. Living in a new culture can allow a person to grow, provides chances to learn, and most importantly, change a person forever.