Every morning when I wake up I think to myself: “I still can’t believe that I’m in Rome.” Oh my God! Only a week has passed since I moved into my new apartment in Italy. Every day of this past week has seemed very long and I feel like I’ve been here for a year. Then I realize that only a week has passed. Now I only have nine weeks left of this amazing program in Rome. It may feel as if I have more time to stay and explore Rome; but actually there isn’t. Time goes by fast! And even though I haven’t left yet; I feel like I’m already missing Rome.
On the very first day when I traveled from Seattle to Leanardo da Vinci Airport on my way to Rome; my heart began to beat so fast. I was so excited and thrilled to be standing in Rome although I was so tired. Somehow, to me Rome is not a strange or unfamiliar place. This could be because this is the second time that I have been in Rome. I was in Rome three years ago to visit a friend who studied here; while I was enrolled in the CHID study abroad program in Prague, CZ. The transition to Rome could be easier because I have lived and been a stranger in foreign countries my entire life.
In Seattle, I live near campus, about a five minute walk to school. Also, I don’t have a driver license, No car for me! Therefore, my range of activities is quite limited to the campus, University district and University Village. At the same time, I tried to stay within those three areas and not venture too far out. Because of this, I see a lot of people who are my age or older. Sometimes, I see preschoolers walking down the streets guided by their teachers. But in Rome, I see all different generations everywhere I go. I see babies on strollers sleeping, or children carrying balloons everywhere I look around Piazza Navona. Around this surrounding area I see groups of teenagers walking along the streets with loud voices. Though I can’t understand what they are talking about. I have also observed couples eating in restaurants as well as seniors. I especially see this group of people come out to restaurants late at night.
For the past week, I have seen many Italian youth wherever I go. Though many Italian individuals seem to be very mature for their age; which makes it hard to know how old they are. Nonetheless, my impressions of youth are ambiguous because I really have no chance to meet any local youth since I got here and I don’t know what they are thinking; but I think that they are more active during night. They seem to be in a party mood all the time. Unlike the places that I have lived, in Seattle and Indonesia; people in Rome do are very active at night and tend to party regardless of the cold. I have seen a lot of youth gathered around bars at night time in Campo de Fiori. I have noticed that they are very loud. Back in the States, people who are under the age of twenty-one, are not allowed to drink but I have heard it is different in Europe – so I’ve heard. In addition, in Rome, people tend to drink and socialize outside whereas people in the States do this inside.
Ciao,
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