HS School Trip Invades Rome!!! by John Hesting

Study Abroad, Study Abroad in Italy

SPC Collegiate and Dual enrollment students have landed in Roma, Italia.  After an arduous 10 hour flight and arrival in Rome at 7:30 AM, the students hit the ground running (because we couldn’t check into our hotel yet!) with our first tour of St. Peter’s Square to hear Pope Francesco’s Sunday address to the cheering masses. After lunch and a well-deserved rest, we then attended Sunday evening mass in St. Peter’s Basilica.  No words or pictures can do justice to the grandeur of St. Peter’s.  It must be seen to understand the demonstration of faith, beauty, genius, and power in that building.

Monday, our students had their first class at Pontifical Urbaniana University  where they demonstrated their own genius in their International Relations and World Religion classes discussing such diverse topics as foreign relations, diplomacy, international conflict, interfaith cooperation, the varieties of faith, religion vs. science, and so on…and that was just the first day!!!

We then sped off to the Coliseum and Roman Forum to take in the immense history of this ancient city.  We ended the day with incredible Roman cuisine and a walk around the Castel Sant’Angelo perusing the street vendors fine wares to music rebounding off the walls of the Castel.

Whew, that was a jam packed 48 hours. Wait, we haven’t had Gelato yet?!?!?!?!?!?  THAT will be the first order of business on Tuesday.

Our intrepid Titans pose on the VERY SPOT where Marc Antony utters his famous words, "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears..."
Our intrepid Titans pose on the VERY SPOT where Marc Antony utters his famous words, “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears…”
The burial place of Julius Caesar is still sacred to many Romans.
The burial place of Julius Caesar is still sacred to many Romans.
The Roman forum stands testament to Ancient Rome's continuing influence on civilization
The Roman forum stands testament to Ancient Rome’s continuing influence on civilization
Our mighty gladiators show their Titan pride at the Colosseum.
Our mighty gladiators show their Titan pride at the Colosseum.
The Colosseum is as impressive as ever.
The Colosseum is as impressive as ever.
Our eager students meet their first guide, Rachel. She knows everything you want to know about the Colosseum and Forum.
Our eager students meet their first guide, Rachel. She knows everything you want to know about the Colosseum and Forum.
The Basilica at dusk.
The Basilica at dusk.
The tiny speck above the red banner is Pope Francesco addressing the masses on Sunday afternoon.
The tiny speck above the red banner is Pope Francesco addressing the masses on Sunday afternoon.
The BEFORE picture at Tampa International.
The BEFORE picture at Tampa International.

 

One thought on “HS School Trip Invades Rome!!! by John Hesting”

  1. The trip to Italy was surpassed only by the company on the trip. The students by far were the most interesting element to the journey. They were awed by the incredible beauty of the country and the depth of the history attached to each of the sights we visited. However, Mr. Hesting and I were in awe of them! Their intellectual curiosity, their enthusiasm for the food and their willingness to experience everything and anything made the trip absolutely unforgettable! I can’t wait to see you all again and to relive the Italian days of summer! Chow!

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