My European adventure started on January 13, 2011, as I
anxiously boarded my flight to Rome, Italy! Though I was a bit
nervous at first, that anxiety has quickly turned into amazement
over the beauty of this great city.
These first few weeks in Rome have felt surreal. The buildings
are so beautiful that they almost look fake, and I’m astonished
when I think about how many centuries of art and history have gone
into this city. Trust me, this is a very artistic place - even the
graffiti on the trains looks like wonderful works of art! I’m sure
I must seem like such a tourist because I’m constantly clicking
away with my camera, trying to capture every
sight of the trip. But honestly, the camera can’t do justice to
how beautiful Rome is.
Life over here is especially convenient since our classes are
all located in the same building. Also, Rome’s most interesting and
historic
landmarks are right around the corner from campus. I spend most
of my time walking around the city, trying out new foods and
meeting new people. Some of the cool things I’ve seen include a chocolate
fair (yum!) and an exciting ride on a gondola. I’m amazed at
how much I’ve learned about Italian culture in only a few
weeks.
I was especially excited to visit the Vatican. I went with my
theology class and we were able to sit in the same room where
bishops from all around the world come to discuss and vote on
important Church issues. Here’s a fun fact I learned: did you know
that the Vatican, which is its own city-state, has more diplomatic
connections than the United States of America? Pretty amazing.
My theology professor took my entire class to meet with Msgr. Anthony Frontiero, a member of the
Pontifical Council of Justice and Peace. He talked about how we can
make an impact on the world and told us to “plant seeds and watch
them reap.” I love this quote, because it reminds me that even the
simplest of kind actions can lead to great things.
There’s still so much more to see, and I’ll be capturing it all
with my flipcam so you can follow along at home. Stay tuned for
more of my weekly updates as the semester progresses. Ciao!