Author: Ella Cox | Major: History | Semester: Summer 2025

Edited in Tezza with: Vintage & Contrast

Bonjourno! My name is Ella Cox, I am a rising junior at the University of Arkansas, and am in the Fullbright College of Arts and Sciences and the Honors College. I am studying History, with a concentration in state-making and policy, while minoring in political science and legal studies. This summer, I had the opportunity to spend five weeks in the summer intersession program at the University of Arkansas Rome Center in Rome, Italy. I took two classes for three credit hours. I took an Art History lecture, and to Rome with Love. These classes were a part of the Summer 25 Core Group. I studied abroad in Rome because I wanted to be enriched with the deep and long history of the Roman Empire. Prior to my study abroad, I knew the basic information about the history of Rome and Italy. Under the Summer 25 Core program, I was able to learn about the four main time periods. Italy under the Classical, Renaissance, Baroque, and Byzantine periods. Learning the history of statemaking and how far Rome has come since the beginning of its formation is important for a history major like me. Rome developed enduring political institutions, including the Senate, consuls, magistracies, and complex systems of checks and balances. These institutions evolved over centuries—from monarchy to republic to empire—offering a rare chance to study how states change form without collapsing completely. Rome became a reference point for later state-builders, from the Holy Roman Empire to early modern nation-states. The Roman model influenced thinkers like Machiavelli and Montesquieu and shaped Western political thought. Understanding Rome helps historians trace the genealogy of modern state concepts. During my five weeks, I was able to travel through many parts of Italy, and even to Ancient Greece. I traveled to Florence, Sorrento, Naples, and Athens. I explored the Uffizi museum and multiple basilicas in Florence, as well as the Vatican, Colosseum, and Pantheon, all under the University of Arkansas-Rome Center and their wonderful faculty. On my own, I was given to explore the city, churches, and other areas of Europe. On my Friday off, I took a plane to Athens, Greece, and explored the Acropolis, Parthenon, and, of course, the Greek food. Another week, I was able to hop on a train to Sorrento, and explore the caves and beaches of the Amalfi Coast and Pompei. Here is a glimpse of what my schedule looked like from day to day.

-Wake up in my wonderful apartment, located just in front of the Vatican City, around 7:30. Grab an apricot or apple and head out the door. My walk to campus every morning consisted of grabbing a cappuccino. I was also lucky enough to walk past Castel San’Angelo every morning. I would arrive on campus around 9:15, and start my 9:30 class, either Art History Lecture, or To Rome with Love. Some days, we had field trips in our Art History Lecture class. Professor Consuelo would take us on tours and be our own personal tour guide, explaining different frescoes or mosaics. We would journey to neighborhoods like Trestevere to explore different museums and churches. After class, I would have the rest of the afternoon. Some days, I would stay at the Rome Center and study in the outdoor garden, go to lunch with some friends, or book a tour and scratch amonument off my bucket list. I was given a lot of freedom, which I enjoyed. I truly got to shape my experience how I wanted. In the evening, I would either have a calm night in my apartment, grabbing dinner with my roommates and walking around the town, or meet up with other students for dinner and drinks at our favorite places, where we would also meet other students from various programs across the United States. The study abroad bars and restaurants are a good place to mingle with locals, as well as other students. I did this program not knowing a single person, but I made so many great friends in my first week that I spent the rest of the trip with them. One valuable lesson I learned while studying abroad is the importance of stepping outside of my comfort zone to embrace new perspectives. Immersing myself in a different culture challenged me to adapt, communicate across language and cultural barriers, and develop a deeper appreciation for global interconnectedness. This experience taught me to approach challenges at the University of Arkansas with more open-mindedness and confidence, and to seek out diverse viewpoints in both academic and social settings. It reinforced the value of curiosity, flexibility, and empathy—qualities I will carry forward in my studies and future career. I could not express how important this experience was for me. I was able to grow as an individual, and hang out with people and different cultures I usually would not have caught myself with before this trip. This study abroad experience opened my eyes to how much beauty is all around at all times. It opened my heart as well to appreciating the little things, and the small, everyday happy moments. I still have two weeks left in Europe as I am writing this. I will be exploring France and England with my mom and Aunt. I’m excited for the experiences ahead. Until then, Ciao