Rome via Brooklyn

DOUBLE POST

After twenty-one days, this is my final post, and I can honestly say this was a trip I will never forget. I remember the week we had to decide whether or not to go on this study abroad program. I almost backed out. I nearly told myself it was not the right time, that maybe it was too much. But something told me to take the chance. Now, here I am writing my last post from Italy, full of memories, moments, and lessons that have shaped how I see the world. 

When I landed in Rome, I had not studied any Italian. I did not know how to say more than a word or two. Now, I can confidently order at a café and have short conversations with locals. That may seem small, but to me, it is a sign of how much I have grown. Learning even a little bit of a new language in such a short time made me feel more connected to the people and culture around me. I felt like I was not just a visitor but someone trying to understand, even in the smallest ways.

Professor Yarrow was everything I could have asked for in a professor and more. She made the material come to life, and she genuinely made me want to learn (Shoutout to you). I was never the type to go home after class and look deeper into topics just for fun, but something about the way she taught made me do exactly that. I remember one specific day when Ace and I had a conversation with her in the Colosseum about the types of animals used in the ancient games and how the fights were staged. That same day, I went back and did my own research. I wanted to know who was setting up these events and why. It felt like learning was not just something to do for class but something that was becoming part of my everyday curiosity.There were also smaller moments that stood out just as much. At one point, I stumbled upon some random ruins while walking alone in Rome. I took a picture and showed it to Professor Yarrow the next day. Without hesitation, she explained what it was, where it came from, and its historical significance. That kind of knowledge and passion is rare, and I am truly grateful to have learned from her.

One of the things I loved most about this trip was the structure. The way class was integrated with our own freedom made all the difference. We would end a lesson standing in the heart of ancient Rome, and then we had two choices. We could go home and rest, or we could get lost in the city. Most days, I chose to get lost. I wandered through alleys, found small restaurants, drank from public fountains, and met people from all over the world. It did not feel like a class trip. It felt like living, exploring, and learning all at once.

Another part I appreciated deeply was how fluid our travel outside of Rome was. In just three weeks, I managed to see so much of the country. I experienced different cities, small towns, beaches, ruins, and hills. And what amazed me most was how Italians could be so different from place to place, yet still so connected. Their accents, their food, their traditions might change, but there is still something that brings it all together. It reminded me a lot of Palestine, where I am from. Back home, you can drive an hour in any direction and hear different dialects, see different clothing styles, and notice unique cultural habits; but it is still one place. Italy felt the same way.

This trip was not just about seeing monuments or checking boxes. It was about getting to know a country, its people, and even myself. I came in unsure if I should even be here, and now I do not want to leave. I built friendships, grew as a student, learned about a new culture, and experienced more than I could have imagined in such a short time.