21 Days, 3 Credits, Eternal Memories

Rome via Brooklyn

    josephpaige02's avatar

    josephpaige02

    2–3 minutes

    Day Zero – Arriving in Rome

    What are you most excited about? Did anything surprise you in the Readings?  Did you have any impromptu conversations in the airport?  Did any family or friends give you advice before you left?  What is the funniest quote from the reading?

    373 Words, 2 Minutes
    My flight went well, mostly! I unknowingly bought a Comfort Plus ticket, which was a welcome surprise. I was able to get up a few times during the flight to walk around (I heard this can prevent jet lag), and the food was solid. 

    On the way to the airport I got along with my Uber driver very well. He was from Uzbekistan, a country that is on my bucket list, and we talked about the differences between America’s expectations of young adults and Uzbekistan’s. The was further dissected when we discussed the differences between New York City’s expectations, and midwestern/southern states like where I grew up. We had a lot in common and the conversation helped calm my nerves about flying. 

    My close friend is also taking a trip abroad right now, visiting family in England before traveling to Switzerland and Tunisia. She is deathly afraid of flying, and I was able to talk through my discomfort with long flights with her. We also discussed what we were excited and worried about for our respective trips. Being able to talk through these things was beneficial for both of us.

    I was surprised by the extensiveness of the Italians’ commitment to family, particularly this insight from Culture Smart: “It is always useful to carry photos of your family with you to show around and discuss.” I always assumed this was a trait of American Italians exclusively, bonds passed down from the trauma experienced by the early immigrants. It was interesting to learn its actual origin.

    I am extremely excited to explore the history of Catholicism in a city, and country, so important to its foundation. I plan, obviously, to visit the Vatican, but I also want to stop by multiple ancient and medieval churches, in order to have a deeper understanding of the faith. I think it will also be worthwhile for me to observe the religion as it is practiced in another culture. 

    That’s all for now!

    2 responses to “Day Zero – Arriving in Rome”

    1. rachel19281 Avatar
      rachel19281

      I am not sure how similar it is to your conversation, but my grandma who grew up in the former soviet union frequently talks about how different it is with the family disconnect and general individualistic culture. I like that Italy is not like that and it’s normal for children to live with their parents for much longer. I also am going to follow up on this jet lag hack and ask if it works because it might be a game changer. My dad has this one app that tracks daylight and how much sun to get a week before, and I would much rather just walk around on the plane and feel better!

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    2. moussatonicisse Avatar
      moussatonicisse

      This was an absolutely lovely read. Uber drivers–people deemed by society as “less than”– are actually some of the most culturally significant people to any society. Immigration stories that have come up through discourse between my mom and the uber drivers, at the time, left an impression on me, as I was able to see all of the varying perceptions, traditions, and social norms. This made me empathize with them, some of their struggles and allow myself to fully understand that: we are way more similar than we are different. 

      As for planes, the toughness of a long flight is universal and is shared amongst all who have experienced it. The way I get over the hardship of a long flight is to realize that I am privileged to be able to even step foot on such a flight. To recognize the privilege of taking this type of flight, allows you to be empathetic.

      Some medieval philosophers set out to prove that Christianity and Reason may be the answer to all of our problems. The famous group is referred to as “The Scholastics” and specifically Thomas Aquinas. You might like his work.

      Again, great work!!!

      –Moussa Toni Cissé

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