Night Tour of Colosseo

Author: Alexander White | Major: Architecture | Semester: Fall 2023

My name is Alexander White, a fifth-year architectural student from Fay Jones School of Architecture at the University of Arkansas. I just finished my Fall 2023 study abroad semester in Italy for my bachelor’s degree in architecture. I was granted financial help from the university and from the honors college that made my trip possible for me to experience. This was my first time being overseas and being in a different country. I will briefly summarize my experience and share what I have taken away from the trip.

This trip was greatly encouraged by the Fay Jones school to take, and the Fay Jones school has an academic center in Rome that also hosts a couple other universities in the semester. I agreed to go on the journey as the experience of being amid antiquity architecture would not present itself often. This would also educate me on what other countries perspectives are compared to what I am familiar with. The focus of this trip was the architecture that can be found in Italy and to see for myself how the historical layers have preserved themselves and how architecture has evolved from the beginning mound cave dwellings to the modern day. One of the things that I learned is how to utilize precedents, already built projects, to define what new design proposals I would design. From an academic standpoint, this semester was more relaxed than what I have experienced here in the states. Time was given to the students for freedom to go out and explore Rome and other areas in Italy and Europe to enrichen our study abroad experience. Overall, this study abroad experience was very well balanced with the variety of new discoveries. Farther along in my education and career, I will be able to use this experience as part of any future urban planning that I may do. The Italian cities are much different than the American cities in terms of layout and I will look for ways where the two different cultures can come together to benefit a new design that uses parts from both cultures. Because Italy is much older than America, the urban layout is more compressed and larger scaled than what is seen in America. It is amazing now to see how the car has become a prominent feature here in America.

In terms of living in Italy, there wasn’t that much culture shock in my 120 day stay. There was a language barrier and I did not know enough Italian to make conversation, but there are many people in Italy who learn English in high school; therefore, the language barrier was not enough to be a large hinderance. The university paid for our housing and provided us a place in one of the safest districts in Rome for our stay. Even with Rome being a major city of the world and the capitol of Italy, I largely felt safe walking the streets around the historical center and the surrounding area. I would not feel that same security in America. It was also convenient with making purchases as their posted price is what you pay for. Unlike in America where the sales tax is added to the purchase after you bring them to checkout. In terms of transportation, at first I was very skeptical of public transportation as I rarely used any public transportation in America as I have my own car; but over time I learned how to book and use the buses, subways, and trains. Overall, living in Italy was very similar to America. The business interactions all had very similar processes and I did not feel too lost whenever I was out every day.

For anyone looking to do a similar trip that I took, I would say the biggest asset you can do for yourself is to plan ahead. Time will fly by so fast and it really helps to have any trips or things that you want to see planned out in advance. One of the crucial elements to being able to plan properly is communication. If you are doing a study abroad like how I did, communication with the university is crucial to know what times you are free to travel and what times you are expected to work on assignments. Research is another crucial element. Some places will have exploited websites and many fake ticket systems, but you can find the true online systems if you search well enough. Whenever you are traveling, always stay aware of your surroundings. There will be street sellers and the occasional pick pocketers, but as long as you exercise caution and make yourself look like that you are focused on what you are doing, you will be fine.

This study abroad experience was a worthwhile experience for me. It was an experience that I am very satisfied with the overall experience and how it ended. I would love to return and pick up the sightseeing where I left off as you could spend a couple of years in Italy and still find something new to find. To do an adventure like this one, and to come into it with the mindset of actually listening to and observing how the other culture lives, is refreshing to do. An experience like this lets you see what your usual routine looks like compared to a completely different mindset and it forces you to reevaluate whether or not some of your usual habits are worth continuing or if it would be beneficial to pick up new habits.

I formally want to thank the Fay Jones School of Architecture and the University of Arkansas for providing me the opportunity to take this study abroad experience.  I do recommend a study abroad experience and I challenge anyone wishing to do a study abroad to plan ahead as far in advance as possible. Certain elements takes longer than you would expect to process; therefore, plan early and set things aside in advance.