Author: Mollie Sims | Major: Exercise Science | Semester: Summer 2024

Visiting the Trevi Fountain during my first week in Rome

After only five short weeks, Rome has become a home away from home. This summer I had the opportunity to study abroad at the University of Arkansas Rome Center. When beginning my research for studying abroad, I was excited to know that the University of Arkansas had a campus in Rome and classes that could easily transfer toward my degree. Italy had always been a dream of mine to visit, so a campus in Rome made the decision even easier.

Once I arrived in Rome, I quickly fell in love. The beauty of the architecture and landscape, the vast history, the people, and the culture was inspiring. My teachers greatly influenced my newfound appreciation and love for Italy. While abroad, I took a class on art history and Italian history and culture. My teachers were extremely knowledgeable and passionate about these subjects. One of my favorite parts about studying here was the ability to leave the classroom and see what we discussed in class. My teachers brought our classes to historic sites and explained the history and importance of these places along the way. How often can you talk about the Pantheon in class, and then walk to see it in person? This was something very different than studying in the US. It made my understanding and appreciation for the art and history of Rome much deeper.

Outside of class, I continued to learn more about the history of Rome, visiting sites such as the Colosseum and the Vatican. Even after being here for five weeks, there is more to see. Along with history, outside of class I truly experienced Italian culture. Standing at a bar for my morning cappuccino and cornetto and having long, late-night dinners have become my favorite Italian tradition. The culture here is laid back, no-rush, and focuses on having conversations and making connections. It has been such a nice change of pace from the hustle and bustle of home. I plan to take this way of life back home, as it has taught me to slow down and take time to enjoy and appreciate the places I visit and the people I am with.

However, Rome wasn’t the only place that impacted me. While studying abroad I also visited Florence, London, Malta, Vienna, and Copenhagen. It was fascinating how easy it was to travel to a different country for a weekend trip. Each place yielded a new culture, language, landscape, and way of life.

My first trip was to Florence with the University of Arkansas. This trip was included in the summer program. While on this trip we did many walking tours visiting some of the city’s most iconic landmarks and museums. One of the most memorable moments from this trip was hiking Florence’s famous Duomo with my fellow Arkansas study abroad students. The tight and windy 463 steps were worth the view of the city at the top. The next weekend I headed to London. Here I met up with my twin sister who was studying abroad. She also attends the University of Arkansas and studied through a program called DIS in Sweden and Denmark. We looked for the royals at Buckingham Palace, saw Big Ben, shopped at Notting Hill, and had high tea. For our last open weekend, my roommates and I headed to Malta. This is one of the most unique, and smallest, places I have visited, as it is the 10th smallest country in the world. It boasts some of the most unique landscapes and architecture I have ever seen. Think of limestone cliffs, crystal clear water, and Italian-Arabic architecture. I truly loved traveling on weekends, as each new place provided me with new experiences and lifelong memories.

After Malta, I headed back to Rome to conclude my last week of studying abroad. During this week my roommates and I made a checklist to do anything and everything we hadn’t done yet. We also buckled down on studying and working on our final projects. One of these projects was creating a travel guide for a neighborhood in Rome. My group had Trastevere and it quickly became one of our favorite neighborhoods. This was such a fun project and a great way to encourage others to visit and learn more about different neighborhoods in Rome.

After classes concluded, my mom came over to visit. I was able to show her around Rome and all my favorite spots. It was such a special experience to show my mom where I had lived the last five weeks. I felt like a local walking and using public transportation (without my Apple maps) showing her my favorite spots for a cappuccino or gelato, our campus, and some of Rome’s iconic landmarks. After spending two days in Rome, we headed to Vienna to see all the palaces and eat all the Viennese foods. Finally, after a few days in Vienna, we headed north to our final destination, Copenhagen. Here, we met up with my twin sister as she finished up her time studying abroad. We took a canal tour and explored the city, soaking in our last few days in Europe.

Studying abroad has genuinely been one of the best experiences. Being able to learn about art and history in one of the birthplaces of art was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Being able to see some of the most iconic art pieces and landmarks in the world has left me speechless and will be something I will remember forever. I can even say I have seen one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Along with the art and history, I also have a greater appreciation for the culture of different places. Studying abroad allowed me the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone, embrace the culture and practices of different areas of the world, and grow as an individual. This experience allowed me to enhance my academics and my overall perspective on life. If you are thinking about studying abroad, do it! You won’t regret the memories, the friendships, and the growth you will experience.