Me at an AS Roma futbol game!
Author: Jennifer Sandoval | Major: Interior Architecture and Design | Semester: Fall 2023
It is day forty-three of me living in Rome, Italy. I have quickly fallen in love with this city and everything it offers. I would be lying if I said I didn’t panic about packing up two suitcases and moving across the globe for the next four months, but my excitement definitely overshadowed any nerves. My mom and I decided to fly into Rome a week before orientation, so that we could explore our dream city together. We spent the week visiting St. Peter’s Basilica, the Colosseum, Santa Marinella, Venice, and eating lots of pizza and pasta. I was prepared to take a couple days to adjust to everything once I was on my own, but honestly, I didn’t have too much trouble. I was able to get in a routine pretty quickly, got used to all the walking, and was back in the company of my studio.
I chose the University of Arkansas Rome Center program because I believed it offered a unique opportunity to deepen my understanding of architectural principles and design aesthetics while also providing cultural immersion and a global perspective. I was determined to study a full semester abroad since my freshman year at the University of Arkansas and with personal interest in Italian culture and language, the U of A Rome center seemed to be the perfect program for me. The experience here has been amazing. We have very supportive staff and faculty, classes that use our surroundings in the city to further enhance lessons and class lectures, and a community of fellow students that share common goals and interests.
In addition to classroom activities like museum activities, piazza sketches, and cultural lessons, I have taken it upon myself to further enrich my experience in Rome. Throughout the week, I made a point of seeking out new places – parks, libraries, restaurants, or unique events going on in the city. I’ve been able to dive deeper into the city’s diverse cultural offerings and I also often find myself stumbling across hidden gems in the city that have led to project inspiration and resonate with my studies here. I’ve also had the opportunity to travel outside of Rome’s borders on the weekends. This has opened up a whole new way of learning. I’ve had the privilege of immersing myself in three different countries and six different cities in just a few weeks. Having access to public transportation and a nearby airport, while also being within walking distance of so many different historical monuments has truly changed my life.
As I reflect on this first month in Rome, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of excitement and gratitude for the months ahead. I have quickly realized that my time in Rome will become a holistic education, where lessons in the classroom will seamlessly blend with my own personal discoveries and travel experiences. The initial nerves of relocating across the globe for the semester have been replaced by a deep love for this city and all it has to offer. I am extremely grateful for the scholarships and awards I have received, especially from the Honors College, that have provided me with the opportunity to enrich my academic career and personal development. My experience in Rome has already provided me with so much and I look forward to what this enriching chapter of my life brings forward these next few months!