Rome via Brooklyn

Word Count: 529

Time to Read: 2-3 minutes

Now that I have been in Italy for a little over a week I am better able to reflect on my arrival and the time before my arrival in a way I was not able to before due to my fears, discomforts, and anxieties traveling abroad for the first time.

Before coming here I was most excited about the food. I have always been very passionate about food. I love to cook and I love to eat. I remember before I left thinking I’d use the kitchen a lot.

The reality is I don’t have that much time and love the Roman style pizza a little too much.

I was super nervous to go through this whole travel process alone, the furthest and longest I have gone is a three hour flight to Puerto Rico, and never by myself.

I have the most amazing family and the most amazing people back home, to venture out and willingly separate myself from them felt like torture, I cried, a lot.

I spent the weeks before this trip filled with dread and so much anxiety and was too proud and too embarrassed to own up to it, after all this is an insane trip to get the chance to go on.

I remember reading Culture Smart! Italy chapter 7 before I flew out of the airport whilst I was trying to calm my nerves.

I read but was too anxious to then compose a blog post, I had too much energy, too much anticipation, and too many nerves. I read to reorient myself and to better know what to expect. I knew I would save my recollection for later.

The chapter opens up with a line that states the fundamental impact that Italy has on its travelers and how one’s trip to Italy in the past determined the culmination of and signified an ultimate well roundedness in a young man’s development. The chapter (when referring to young men in the 18th century) states, “when traveling around Europe on the ‘Grand Tour’ was de rigueur for young noblemen, Italy was where they learned to become perfect gentlemen. A trip to Venice, Florence, Rome, and Naples was an essential part of a man’s education.” (pg. 135).

Although I am not a young nobleman and although I do not come from the 18th century I knew this trip to Italy would change me.

Now that I have been here for a while I can certainly say that it has.

As I sat in my cramped seat I anxiously awaited my arrival in Rome, Italy.

I slept, I woke up to my neighbor on the plane touching me with her toes, and then leaning her back on me.

It was the most uncomfortable flight of my life.

But with views like these…

It’s safe to say it was worth it.

Once we landed and I got through customs and saw the Professor and my classmates faces I knew it would somehow end up being okay.

And so far it has been working out to be, I am very thankful I am on this trip.

– Paola ❤