Mountain Biking in the Dolomites

Author: Brendan Chucci | Major: Architecture

Hey everyone! My name is Brendan Chucci, and I am a fifth-year architecture student who recently got to spend the past summer abroad in Rome! When considering where to travel abroad, going to Rome was a simple choice for me. I had been spending the past four years learning about all the magnificent works of architecture throughout Italy while in my History of Architecture classes and wanted to be able to witness them firsthand. The architecture of this region is known worldwide, not only among architects but even the common person. If you could imagine: We all know of the Colosseum, the Vatican, and much more simply from our culture; but to an architect, the importance of Rome is magnified tenfold. Past the walls of the Coliseum or the Notoriety of the Pope, there is a world of architecture to be explored. Centuries-Old Basilicas line the streets, and the beauty of the landscape overwhelms you. This, combined with the highly knowledgeable staff of the Rome center greatly expanded my thinking of architecture and the built environment. At least twice a week, we would spend class outside, firsthand, walking and drawing the architecture of Rome alongside our professors.

Outside of class, we would consistently find ways to become integrated into the Roman Culture. We got to spend one week partaking in the Festival of Architecture of Roma, where we were split among teams of students all over the world to produce a project all within a week’s time. For me, particularly, I was put on a team of two non-English speaking Italian students, and although I was nervous at first, they quickly became some of my closest friends during the study abroad, and consistently would invite me to partake in activities with them all throughout Rome. Beyond this, Me and my roommates would wake up every morning and grab a coffee from the shop next door, we befriended the owner of the shop, Nino. And although Nino speaks little to know English, we would talk and laugh with him every day. There was one night where he even invited me and my Roommate, Diego, to come back and perform a concert at his shop for pizza night, which was every Friday. I played guitar and Diego sang in Spanish. It truly was a beautiful moment.

To any student on the fence about studying abroad, you should one hundred percent do it! I was on the fence too, at one point, concerned about how I was going to pay for it, or how I was going to fit in while in Italy, but afterwards I can easily say it was one of the best decisions of my Life. I advise all of you to really dive into the culture headfirst, and truly embrace the life of the place you are in. It made it so enjoyable to me to be able to grow and learn about the Italian culture, while also gaining lifelong friends who make it mandatory for me to go back and visit one day soon. While I did miss American Food, particularly buffalo wings (LOL), I wouldn’t have traded a day away while in Italy.

P.S. Nino and I still talk every day despite the 7-hour time difference. He has a picture of us hanging up in his shop now, right by the cash register.