Author: Michael Mathias | Major: Industrial Engineering | Semester: Summer 2025

This photo was taken in the courtyard of building where we had class, which is called Palazzo Taverna. From left to right: Britton Adair, Jake Fotenopulos, Micah Livingston, Michael Mathias (me), and Tanner Holden.

In the summer of 2025, I was fortunate enough to travel to Rome, Italy for a five-week study abroad program. In Rome, I took Engineering Economic Analysis and Project Management, which were both required courses for my major. Studying abroad had been a dream of mine even before coming to the University of Arkansas, so when I walked past a table at the bottom of the ramp in Bell Engineering Center in December 2023, advertising an engineering program in Rome, I was instantly drawn in. What sparked my interest in studying engineering in Rome specifically was Rome’s rich history. From the Roman aqueducts to their ancient roads, there seemed to be an engineering feat at every corner.

Studying in Rome was vastly different from studying in Fayetteville for a variety of reasons. The first reason was the language barrier. I tried to learn how to say some essential phrases in Italian before heading over such as “Hello,” “Thank you,” and “I’d like the tiramisu for dessert,” but I found that I was not able to navigate a city as big as Rome by only using this very limited Italian vocabulary. I had to rely on the Google Translate app sometimes, but most of the time there was somebody around that spoke enough English to point me in the right direction (usually the nearest pizzeria).  Another reason was the size of Rome brought new concerns. I had to be careful not to get lost on the narrow and winding streets of old Rome and avoid the pickpockets on public transportation. This was especially challenging at first, but after getting to know the area around the University of Arkansas Rome Campus, I was able to navigate the area without looking at my maps app. By the end of my trip, I was also able to recognize pick pocketers more easily as well. They usually worked in teams. One person would cause a diversion to draw your attention while a second person would go for your wallet. I was able to combat this with my trusty zippered fanny pack. I usually wore this accessory under my clothes just to be safe, but I would occasionally wear it over my clothes if I wanted to appear extra stylish.

My favorite parts of Rome were touring St. Peter’s Basilica, touring Castel Sant’Angelo, touring the Roman Forum, touring the Colosseum, and stumbling upon ancient ruins while wandering around. St. Peter’s Basilica was giant, and, as a Catholic, I found the history of it very interesting. One fun fact I learned is there is a stone on the ground in St. Peter’s Basilica for every basilica in the world with the basilica’s name engraved on the stone. The distance from the altar at St. Peter’s to a particular basilica’s stone is the same distance of that basilica’s entrance to its altar. This makes St. Peter’s the largest Catholic church in the world. A few people in my class and I were able to go to Castel Sant’Angelo for free because many museums are open to the public for free on the first Sunday of the month. The castle was built in 135 AD, so there is a lot of history within its walls that was very cool to see.

One major takeaway I had from touring the Roman forum, the Colosseum, and seeing ancient ruins on every corner is that the Romans built things to last. For example, the Colosseum was built in 80 AD and was used for 300 years and is still standing today. That would be the equivalent of a football stadium from 1805 still housing games today and enduring the test of time until at least 3970. Another extraordinary piece of engineering is the Temple of Hercules Victor. While this temple is not as celebrated as the Colosseum, it is one of the most impressive monuments I saw. Built in the second century BC, it holds the record as the oldest surviving building in Rome from the republican period. I have not noticed this same engineering prowess in our products today. After studying in Rome for five weeks surrounded by these engineering marvels, I’ve made it a goal of mine to engineer like the Romans. I may not build any temples or colosseums in my time as an engineer, but I want the products I develop to remain useful even when I’m gone. I know, just as the Romans did, that accomplishing this takes time and extreme attention to detail. That is why my most prized souvenir is a picture of the colosseum that I am going to hang up in my apartment to remind me of the attention to detail and time it will take to innovate great things.