School Tour of Historic Colosseum

Author: Thomas Needy | Major: Biomedical Engineering | Semester: Summer 2023

In choosing my study abroad program, I knew that I wanted to experience something different from my normal life as a student in Biomedical Engineering. This desire, combined with my love of history, food, culture, and the desire to explore my heritage took me to the Eternal City: Rome.

During the month of June, I, along with about forty other students, was studying in Rome in the University of Arkansas Rome Center Summer core program. I was taking 2 classes during my time in Italy—To Rome with Love, a class about Italian language and culture, and Introduction to International Relations and Global Studies. I decided to take these classes to augment and enhance my knowledge and appreciation of the culture of my European home. To Rome with Love was an incredibly valuable class for us students. We were instructed in the Italian language, history, and culture. We learned how to have simple conversations in Italian, allowing us to build relationships with residents. We learned about the history of Italy including its unification, regions, stereotypes, and more so that we could have contextualization for the culture that we were living in. Finally, we learned about modern Italian culture through food, wine, perfume, and art lessons, allowing us to learn about the priorities and way of life of Romans. In the international relations class, our focus was gaining a more global perspective to issues facing the world. We learned about new cultures, open mindedness, and were primed to soak up Rome and Italy. As one might expect, since these classes were taught by Italians, they were different than what us American students were used to. In general, many of the Italians that I have met love to talk, and this was reflected in the classroom. In the international relations class and the language section of To Rome with Love, we hardly did any lectures, and most of the class was discussion. However, in the culture section of To Rome with Love, our teacher talked most of the time. This, however, was different from an American lecture because she did not just read from the slides and expand on bullet points, but she talked about her own experiences and knowledge. They were much more long winded and loved to take the scenic route in teaching.

As a biomedical engineer with hopes of being a surgeon, on the surface, this program may not seem like it would further my goals or be useful to me. However, this program significantly increased my communication skills, problem solving, intercultural awareness, self-awareness, and flexibility. I also especially benefitted because as a Fayetteville resident going to the University of Arkansas, I have never really been too far away from home. Adapting to being away from my friends and family in a new country enhanced many of my soft skills that will be useful in whatever field I decide to pursue.

My favorite thing in Rome was seeing the vast difference in culture compared to Fayetteville. What made the difference and the cultural shocks so stark was the duality of living in a large metropolis, combined with being in a different culture with a different language. My observations were that the Italians are immensely proud and traditional people who have different priorities than us Americans. In my first week, I encountered many things that American residents would not tolerate in their city or home. I was negatively shocked by the relative primitiveness of my apartment compared to what I have grown used to in the United States. Italian culture is not known for its efficiency and reliability, and I got to see this with our little, tiny shower that did not get hot water, 1950s gas stove, lack of air conditioning, high number of non-functional power outlets, and lack of space.

However, I also got to experience some of the rich aspects of Italian culture that are not featured in America, and that I will miss as I readjust to life in America. Italians value their time with their friends and family more than Americans. When I was hanging out with the Italian friends that I made or observing Italians, I saw how they give their undivided attention to their loved ones—there was not a cellphone in sight. They also have long, passionate conversations full of debate, laughter, and joy. The Italians also prioritize high quality food for reasonable prices, and seem to seek out experiences over material things.

While Americans prioritize innovation and obtaining a niche in the market, Italians prioritize being the best in their specialty. This resulted in a small town like Fayetteville, Arkansas having more variety in food, shopping, and entertainment choices than Rome, however being relatively lower quality. Rome did not have as many options as Fayetteville (it seemed like every restaurant had the exact same menu), however, there was more competition in this limited market, which made it possible to get high quality products for half the price of what they would gone for in the United States. However, when I get home, the first thing I want to do is to eat Mexican food in a nice, air-conditioned restaurant.

After my month in Rome, I found that both Italy and America both offer unique aspects that have their respective strengths and weaknesses. For me, I found that the key to adjusting, and maximally enjoying Rome was to take everything in for what it was and appreciate both its splendor and squalor. When I took in everything I could, tried to emulate Roman culture, and tried to experience Rome as a Roman might, I enjoyed the city so much, and opened my mind up to the lessons that it offered. I plan on recommending this program to other students, letting them know that they should set aside their expectations and dive into the host country for what it is.