Posing with the interior of the Colosseum

Author: Lacey Oxford | Major: Interior Architecture and Design

Feelings of exhilaration coursed through my veins as I hopped onto the massive plane to Rome, ready to encounter and overcome all difficulties the future had to catapult toward me. This was my initial thought as I squeezed into the middle seat of my row and reexamined my growing list of activities or goals I wanted to complete during the five weeks I would be living as a student in the historic center of Italy. Immediately I began to struggle with motion sickness on the plane, and continued to face this dilemma for the remainder of my eleven hour flight. Upon landing in the country I was overwhelmed by the drastic change in scenery and language barrier that prevented me from conversing with others, a catalyst for my spiral into an abyss of loneliness. The first day was tough. I had to remind myself that every student at the University of Arkansas’s Rome Center was battling the same thoughts and forging their way through an entirely new environment like I was. With this in mind I was able to step outside of my comfort zone and create relationships with individuals I would’ve never normally interacted with. The five weeks I spent studying abroad in Rome would prove to have an everlasting impact on my life both personally and professionally, and above all validated the achievability of my dream to universally design structures as an Interior Architect & Designer.

During my time abroad I studied underneath the University of Arkansas’s Rome Center located at Palazzo Taverna, an ancient castle located in the heart of Rome that was minutes away from prominent, historical sites. The building itself was fascinating for an architect with hand-painted frescoes lining the walls, corinthian columns, and the ambiance of classicism and antiquity. The administration working at the palace were exceptionally kind and knowledgeable about local novelties; they were able to sympathize with the students while simultaneously treating them as adults. I chose to study in Rome for three primary reasons: the city is renowned for its unique combination of contemporary and historical architecture, the abundance of art history, and the Rome Center is recommended to Interior Architecture & Design students for its organized, learning environment. Originally five weeks didn’t seem like enough time to fully explore the city in all of its entirety, especially if I was going to be taking six-hours of classes as well. However, my worries were cast away as I discovered that everyday I traveled with my teacher on-site to explore ancient ruins or luxury department stores, getting private tours at unique locations I wouldn’t have thought to investigate. Students were shown popular monuments that inhabited every tourist’s to-do list as well as seemingly secret locations only locals would travel. From the colosseum to small artisanal shops selling leather or mosaics, every class-led trip in Rome proved to be both informational and exciting. My History of Italian Design professor, Katherine Krizek, was immensely inspiring to me as both an artist, architect, and human being. She brought light to controversial yet necessary subjects through her art and taught her students about often overlooked figures throughout history such as women or people of color. Charming and intelligent, Katherine was able to connect with important Italian figures through her line of work, and we were able to reap the benefits as her students. We were able to get exclusive, extended tours of famous, opulent locations such as the Sorelle Fontana fashion house and Bulgari department store. I was able to advance my academic knowledge through her teachings, learning about parts of history the world often chose to ignore and contemporary artists and architects that continue to change the narrative. Professionally I made connections with individuals living my dream, working abroad as a prospering designer, and met those able to propel me toward said ideals. I discovered that no matter how different my classes in Rome were from those in Arkansas, the instructors who surrounded me always remained supportive.

A typical day in Italy usually involved waking up early to grab a cup of espresso and croissant to have on your thirty minute walk to class, sometimes you’d board a bus or ride the metro for longer distances. Classes took up the entirety of the afternoon, but as discussed, they were always entertaining and enlightening. Students had roughly two-to-three hours to complete their daily homework before dinner, which was often a three hour event. There’s no such thing as fast-food in Rome, but that’s one of the charms of the country. Everything (except for driving) is taken at a slow pace, with numerous breaks scattered in between, all to encourage individuals to enjoy life and communicate with others. The city is absolutely stunning with historical sites randomly scattered throughout that I often unintentionally stumbled upon. I attempted to use my semester’s worth of knowledge in Italian while residing in Rome, but in the end I only used a handful of words I’d learned. It’s difficult to get a word in when locals spot your bright blue button-down covered with goldfish and you’re immediately labeled as a tourist. Nonetheless the people residing there were equally as kind as the instructors, making Italy very difficult to leave.

I will forever be an advocate for travel as it truly does change your perspective and make you grow as a compassionate, self-aware, and intelligent individual. Initially I struggled with my first time abroad in Rome; however, the five weeks I spent living amongst my peers in the city made a huge impact on my life, creating relationships and sharing experiences. Some advice I would give to others about traveling to Rome would be to bring and wear walking shoes. It’s stereotypical and written in every article about navigating the city, but I further push the importance after struggling with a series of blisters on my feet the whole trip. Also, exchange all of your money into euros before you board the plane to Italy, and make sure most of your finances are on your credit card. After COVID, no one uses cash to pay for anything but cheap souvenirs or bus tickets. Do not postpone working on homework as it will continue to add up until it’s practically impossible to complete before the deadline, and do not feel guilty about taking a day off to rest or catch up if needed. Lastly, live like the locals. Take it slow and appreciate every aspect or detail about the city that wouldn’t be noticed at a fast-pace.