Rock Climbing in Cinque Terre

Author: Kati Rod | Majors: International Business, Agricultural Business. | Semester: Spring 2023

I finished my last final at the University of Arkansas Rome Center this afternoon. As I walked home with my friends talking about getting luggage to the airport, I began to think about how I got it here in the first place. It was raining when we got off the bus from the airport and my newly met roommates and I hurriedly struggled to keep up with our housing provider as he sped us to our home for the next four months. On the way we tripped in multiple holes in the road, I accidentally knocked over a mannequin, and I think we lost our housing provider at least twice. I could not recommend a better way to quickly bond with strangers who are to be your roommates.

The University of Arkansas Rome Center program was a great fit for me because it allowed me to take both business core classes and fulfill multiple international business requirements, including taking several global studies classes. My favorite part of these classes was the practicality that was introduced using excursions and real-world scenarios during class time. For example, in my Global Changemakers class, we visited several markets and took a weekend trip to repurposed seized mafia lands. During this time, I began to understand how real change must begin at a community level. Some other highlights of my classwork included cooking class for my To Rome, With Love class, and when my finance professor took us to speak with multiple entrepreneurs in the area. These meetings with the local entrepreneurs opened my eyes to multiple niche sectors of business and further encouraged me to pursue my own unique interests.

Outside of school, my favorite experiences were those where I saw what it looks like beyond the tourist life in Europe. One thing about me is that I really love talking to strangers and having come to Italy without knowing any Italian was one of my biggest challenges. I missed being able to engage with the world around me. There is something heartbreaking about the look on peoples’ faces when they are trying to make you understand, but the words they are saying are not ones that you can comprehend. However, there is also a sweetness in the deep desire for understanding. This semester I learned the power of hand motions and google translate; but there were a few moments that stick out when I think about engaging in the communities around me. There was a man who ran a restaurant on our corner that I saw almost every day. He never failed to say hello and ask me how I was doing. I also met a man in London one morning on a weekend trip who was cleaning the buildings on the street we were staying. He stopped me on my way to pick up coffee by asking me why I was so happy. I responded “sir, it’s a sunny Saturday morning and I’m in London. Why wouldn’t I be happy?” He thought that was a worthy enough answer and proceeded to talk to me for an hour, telling me about every person that passed us on the street. He knew their names, about their families, and I was hit with the weight of their community.

One of the biggest shocks I experienced abroad was not related to culture, but rather moving to the city. I am from a small suburb in Texas, and as one of my classmates and I put it, we didn’t experience culture-shock so much as we experienced city-shock. That was the hardest transition of all. Going from driving everywhere to relying on public transport and having most commutes double in time, as well as being surrounded by tall buildings every time I walked outside was overwhelming. However, I learned that I love walking as a form of transportation, and I love trains! Because of this “city-shock” and preference for a small-town vibe, two of my favorite trips were Cinque Terre and Howth, Ireland. Cinque Terre is a set of five villages on the coast of Italy and Howth is a little coastal town outside of Dublin. In both places we went hiking and it was a nice escape from the hustle of the city.

Finally, I would advise anyone going abroad not to get caught up in the routine you create. I know in Arkansas I love it when I finally get into the rhythm of the semester and things just seem to flow. However, it is easy to allow your routine to distract you from the amazing place that you’re in. One thing I learned this semester is that “awe” is a choice. There is a reason that all the tourists that stop on the bridge on your way to school are stopping. I remember stopping to admire the river and the views on my first day too. Secondly, enjoy the things that do not go as planned, especially when travelling. Some of my favorite memories involve running to catch trains and having to reevaluate plans. Finally, as other people are sure to tell you too, never say no to a new experience or to new people!