I’m finding it difficult to conceptualize how quickly the semester has gone by; time really does fly when you’re having fun. “Fun,” however, would be a lackluster way to articulate what I’ve experienced in the past four months; “life-changing” would be more on par. Never in my life have I met so many amazing people, seen so many beautiful sights, and learned so much about myself and the world around me, all within such a short period of time. Living in Rome was everything I could have hoped for five times over. Even when the “honeymoon phase” began to dwindle, and I got more settled into my classes and the surrounding area, I continued to fall in love with the Eternal City. The more people I met, the more I learned about the city, the culture, the more I appreciated where I was.

A few of the many amazing people I had the chance to meet this semester.

I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to experience life in another country to this extent. I feel as though my time at JCU was unique/different than the typical study abroad experience in that JCU has a strong degree-seeking student body that I found myself deeply intertwined with. These amazing people helped show me what Rome has to offer and I couldn’t have been more fortunate to have made those relationships. If I could give one piece of advice to prospective study abroad students, it would be to broaden your social circle as much as possible! Though it might be easy to solely associate with other study abroad/American students, there is much value to be had in developing relationships with those accustomed to the area.

Practicing what my time in Italy has taught me – how to cherish the smaller, slower moments.

Additionally, I loved getting the opportunity to volunteer in Rome. This was one of the primary ways I made so many friends and met so many people. Furthermore, it allowed me to connect with the local community in ways that wouldn’t have otherwise been possible. The volunteer activities also drastically improved my grasp of the Italian language. I would highly recommend anyone coming to JCU get involved in community service!

Part of what made me fall in love with Rome was its architectural and historical beauty – expressed in the many churches that populate the city.

On a different note, though, living across the ocean provided me with a setting in which I could rapidly grow on a personal level. For one, I feel as though my level of independence increased exponentially. Learning the ins and outs of an alien environment is no easy task, but doing so left me feeling capable and level-headed when faced with unfamiliar situations. Furthermore, I began to see stark differences between not only the way that people live in my hometown/country versus in Italy, but also in the things that they hold intrinsically valuable. For one, I saw an emphasis on living rather than working. Cliché as that may be, I really felt as though there was a general focus on cultivating long-lasting memories and relationships, which in turn left me feeling fulfilled. Subsequently, my time in Rome has raised significant questions regarding what really matters to me. As difficult as these questions may be, I believe they are fundamental to personal growth and the pursuit of self-actualization – something that is aided by gaining new perspectives on life.

To my pleasant surprise, Rome had a vibrant and welcoming skateboarding community. Through this community I became more immersed with the local culture, got to practice my Italian, and made countless friendships.

Thus, if I could draw a single conclusion from my experience in Rome, it is that everyone should study abroad if given the chance. The memories I have made hold immeasurable value, and the knowledge that I have gained can never be taken away from me. Finally, thank you so much to Nico, Eric, Cami, and the rest of the awesome SAI team who made all of this possible.

Written by: Luca, Spring 2025 Rome student from Point Loma Nazarene University