Name: Phoebe Vandeman

SAI Program: Rome, Italy

Before going abroad, I believed that travel just wasn’t a passion of mine. I loved the idea of it, but each time I left my hometown or college, I felt uncomfortable and had a desire to return home. So, I really surprised myself when I felt a pull towards studying abroad and when I went through with a very last-minute application to SAI’s program in Rome. I surprised myself even more as my love for travel grew each day while abroad. As I reflect on my time in Rome and my newfound passion for travel and culture, it now makes complete sense that a person like me would want to spend their life experiencing the many unique environments that make up our world. Going abroad made it incredibly clear to me how much I cherish people, perspective, and connection… and how these all can be found through travel. 

Though the beginning of the semester brought about challenges adjusting, I gained skills throughout the process on how to combat homesickness and truly find the beauty in establishing a routine in a new-to-me environment. I tried my best to immerse myself in my community abroad through yoga classes taught in Italian, English conversations with locals, community service opportunities, adventures with school friends, and outings with SAI staff and friends. At other times, I resorted to comfortable options like staying in my apartment and staring at the ceiling, sticking with a familiar friend, or returning to the same cafe rather than trying a new one. 

All of this is to say that my path to loving travel was not perfect or by any means seamless. However, over time, my experience abroad made me fall in love with the process of adjusting to an unfamiliar environment. I came to adore the transition from complete discomfort to confidence in the various places I traveled to. I found beauty in the act of making Rome a home and immense joy in the people and cultures I was exposed to on each trip. I am so eternally grateful to SAI and Rome for igniting in me a now lifelong passion for travel that I hope I will get to continue to explore.

Written by: Phoebe, Spring 2025 Rome student from Belmont University