I first heard about the Italy study-abroad trip just around last year when they released news about the next destination for the study abroad program. I had previously gone to France to study abroad last year, and I made many good friends, and memories, and got to experience another culture.
When we first arrived in Rome, I noticed how compact the streets and alleyways were, it was a very old city, with stone buildings towering above us and streets not originally built for use by cars. In Rome, we were able to see the great Colosseum, where gladiators fought, and large audiences watched. We also saw the Trevi fountain, which depicted Neptune, the Roman god of the sea. And finally, we saw the Roman Forum which contained many ancient temples and constructions by the ancient Roman Empire. It was amazing to see a place with a history that dates back thousands of years compared to my own country which was much younger in comparison.
The proceeding destination that our tour group visited was the ruins of Pompeii, an ancient city that was destroyed in a volcanic eruption by Mount Vesuvius. We witnessed the stony ruins, overcome by moss, and grass, slowly being reclaimed by the earth. In the museum, we learned about their way of life, and what surviving was like for them, and saw the remains of the bodies preserved by the calcified layers of ash from the lava.
The last thing that is important to discuss is the differences between Italian and American culture. From what I’ve noticed, many people in Italy dress far more formally than people in Florida. Another thing that I’ve noticed is that gelato places can be found on almost any street in an Italian city. From what I’ve tried, gelato is incredibly delicious and a lot creamier than what can be found in America.
Overall, my experience in Italy has been amazing, and I would recommend future study-abroad opportunities to anyone interested. I got to see lovely places, try incredible food, and interact with a culture that was not my own.
– Benjamin, SPC Italy (High School) Study Abroad Program, March 2024