Outside of the tours built into the program, my classmates and I spend many hours wandering around the city and exploring on our own. Before the trip, I spent a lot of time researching Rome and watching TikToks for ideas about what to do, where to eat, and which landmarks I wanted to visit. I made a list of places I knew I absolutely had to see, and throughout the trip, I am making it a goal to check each one off.
One of the best parts of studying abroad is having the freedom to discover places beyond our scheduled activities. While all of the program excursions are incredible, I think many of us would agree that one of our favorite adventures so far is exploring Vatican City. Even though it is the smallest country in the world, it is packed with history, culture, and some of the most impressive art and architecture I have ever seen.
As someone who loves art and history, I was completely amazed by St. Peter’s Basilica. Pictures and videos online absolutely do not do it justice. The scale of the building, the intricate details, and the artwork throughout the basilica are breathtaking. Every inch seems to contain another masterpiece. We actually just stood there and stared for a while.
What makes the experience even more meaningful is being able to connect it to what we are learning in class. We discuss how religion, culture, power, and history have shaped Italian society and institutions over time. Seeing these concepts in person helps bring our coursework to life in a way that simply reading about them never could. Experiences like this remind me why I wanted to study abroad in the first place and make me excited for everything else we still have left to explore.