A Day Walking Throughout Venice
Author: Jake Myers | Major: Data Science | Semester: Summer 2025
My study abroad experience in Rome was certainly an unforgettable one. I chose to go to Rome because it had always felt like the historical capital of the world in my eyes. From the Colosseum to the Vatican to the Trevi Fountain, these landmarks and the history they hold was too much to pass up on. Stories about the heavenly pizza and pasta also made my choice of a study abroad destination much easier. The choice to go to Italy and specifically Rome was a no brainer for me, and it certainly lived up to the hype. I ended up being in Rome for 5 weeks in July this summer. The summer climate was certainly hot, and the AC was lacking at times, but this was just a part of the experience and even added to it. In no way do I regret any decision I made for my study abroad experience.
For my study abroad program – U of A Rome Center: Italy in the Transatlantic World in a Global Perspective – I participated in two history classes. These classes were Italian Modern History and Transatlantic Relations with Professor Brogi. These courses certainly provided a different experience than any that I’ve had in the classroom. They were filled with challenges and lectures that I had never experienced, and I certainly took a lot of appreciation for these classes. Dr. Brogi was an expert in these classes and that truly helped my learning experience. As a Data Science major, I couldn’t be much further from the realm of history. After these classes, I feel like an expert in modern Italian history. It was cool to learn about recent Italian history in its capital of Rome. We would learn about things and events in the classroom and then go see exactly where they happened. For example, we were able to go to the Victor Emmanuelle II Museum and monument just after learning about his role as the first king of Italy in class. Even while we were in the classroom, we learned some of the history about the prestigious family of the very people that owned our classroom and palace in which we studied. While the course was certainly rigorous and in uncharted waters for me, it was very rewarding and interesting.
Another key component of my study abroad experience was my travels on the weekends and in my free time. Because of my honors college scholarships and grants, I was able to travel all over Italy and even to different countries in Europe. In Italy, I was able to go to Sorrento, Bologna, Florence, Venice, and Verona. It truly was remarkable to see all these places in just 5 weeks. From the cliffs and breathtaking views on the Amalfi Coast to the wonder that is Venice, Italy has so many different and enriching experiences to offer. The experience that stood out to me was the Path of the Gods hike along the Amalfi Coast. This breathtaking hike had a plethora of views and truly was unlike anything I had ever seen. After our program ended, I was able to travel for a week throughout the rest of Europe. I was able to go to Innsbruck, Munich, Vienna, and Prague. It was so cool to experience these cultures as well and compare them to that of Italy’s. It is crazy to me how much these cultures and languages can change when these countries are only a couple of hours apart.
My time in Italy and Europe is something that I will never forget. Spending 6 weeks on a different continent still seems surreal. From my time in the classroom to my travels in my free time, I loved every second of my time in Rome and my other destinations. This was truly a once in a lifetime experience.