Rome via Brooklyn

Word Count: 857

From the bustling airport to my temporary home in Rome, Italy, I was pleasantly surprised to see so many Palestinian flags hanging from balconies, painted on walls, and even stickers on bus stop signs. It immediately calmed some of the anxiety I had about being an Arab and visibly Muslim in Europe. Before arriving, I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect as Europe can sometimes have a reputation for making Muslims feel out of place so seeing those displays of solidarity reminded me that there are people everywhere who care about humanity which made me feel more welcomed than I expected on my very first day.

On the drive from the airport I kept looking out the window because I didn’t want to miss anything. One of the first things I noticed was how naturally the ancient and modern blended together. There were newer cars driving past buildings that looked hundreds of years old where on balconies I saw clothes hung up. Small neighborhood shops sat next to historic architectur, and even simple apartment buildings seemed to have so much history behind them with flower shops and mini bodegas out front. It somehow made New York City feel so familiar where most buildings feel much newer but also reminded me that people here live their everyday lives surrounded by history. It almost feels normal to them while I found myself wanting to admire every building we passed.

Something that immediately reminded me of the Italy- Culture Smart readings was how people interacted with one another. Even during simple conversations, people seemed expressive with their voices and hand gestures. The reading talked about how Italians are very social and animated, and I definitely started noticing that right away. It made me laugh because one of my favorite quotes from the reading mentioned that other countries eventually seem “eerily quiet.” Growing up in a loud Arab family  I always thought we were the loud ones but after just one day in Rome, I’m beginning to think Italians might actually give us some competition.

The strongest taste memory from today was definitely the lasagna we had for dinner. I wasn’t expecting something so simple to make me emotional but after taking the first bite it immediately reminded me of my mom’s cooking back home. My family is very close, so being away from them has been an adjustment. I actually called my mom afterward and told her that her cooking would do great here, especially since she owns a restaurant back home in NYC. Even though I had only been away for a short time, sharing that moment with her made me feel connected to home. It’s funny how food can do that, which honestly explains the reason why I tend to eat my emotions out. No matter where you are in the world, one familiar taste can instantly bring back memories and make you feel comforted.

The strongest scent I remember from today was the smell of fresh food drifting through the neighborhood as we walked around in the evening. It seemed like every street had a different restaurant or “Bar”, speaking of which I’m still getting familiar to saying that as a Muslim girl because it feels so wrong even if it is the Italian version of a cafe, I can’t wait to try fresh bakery goods each morning here! The smell of freshly baked bread, pizza, and pasta filled the air. It made the neighborhood feel warm and welcoming. Even though I was exhausted from traveling, that smell made me excited for all of the new foods I will get to try during my time here specifically a nutella cornetto! 

The most familiar part of today was walking around the neighborhood. Seeing the graffiti, the flags, and the narrow cobblestone streets reminded me a lot of certain neighborhoods back in New York City. It especially reminded me of walking around Washington Square Park and parts of Brooklyn, where different cultures, languages, and art all come together into a melting pot. While Rome is much older and has a different atmosphere, there was something about seeing people outside talking, walking their dogs, sitting at cafés, and simply enjoying the evening that felt surprisingly familiar.

Although today was mostly spent traveling and settling in, it already challenged some of my expectations. I expected everything to feel completely different, but instead I found little reminders of home throughout the day. Whether it was seeing support for Palestine, tasting a meal that reminded me of my mom’s cooking or noticing neighborhoods that felt similar to New York, those moments helped make such a big transition feel a little less overwhelming. After just one day I’m already realizing that studying abroad in Europe isn’t only about seeing famous landmarks or visiting museums. It’s also about paying attention to the little moments watching people interact, trying new foods, hearing another language spoken all around you and slowly becoming part of a different culture. If my first day is any indication of what the rest of this experience will be like I know I’m going to learn just as much outside the classroom as I will inside it.