Studying in a Magical City
Ashley, Rome, Fall 2013
October 10, 2013

SAI cooking lesson was such a great experience! My roommates and I talk about it all the time.

SAI cooking lesson was such a great experience! My roommates and I talk about it all the time.

So far studying abroad in Rome, Italy has been an amazing experience.  I booked some trips alone which was extremely frightening for me to go on a trip not knowing anyone.  I am grateful that  I took a leap of faith and tried something out of my comfort zone.  I have met so many amazing people from all over the world by traveling alone.  I have come to make close friends with people I would normally not have gotten the chance to meet if I were still home in Wisconsin.

The amazing group of girls I met on my trip to the Amalfi Coast.

The amazing group of girls I met on my trip to the Amalfi Coast.

Good old Wisconsin.  I do miss home occasionally.  This trip has been just as rewarding as it has been hard to leave my family.  My nephew started high school which is mind blowing.  I have come to realize that I’ve been missing small comforts of home such as Jiff peanut butter and watching the Packers’ games with my parents on a crisp fall day with the smell of apple crisp filling the house.  There are many differences from Rome and home.  Here people drive like maniacs and park wherever they please.  I fear that one day my foot will get run over by a car!  The recycling system is way different than how we do it as home.  However, at my house we did have a special place for organic waste which was outside in the corn field.  The food here is always fresh and delicious!  I think that is what I will miss the most when my time here is up.  The food is amazing and I am becoming a better cook just by living here.  I will not miss the low water pressure in our apartment though!

Went white water rafting in Croatia with this lovely group of people.

Went white water rafting in Croatia with this lovely group of people.

I am extremely happy that I got the opportunity to study abroad in such a magical city.  Every day I wake up and think to myself “Is this real life?”  I cannot wait to see all the more adventures I will get myself into and how many more amazing people that I will befriend.  I am looking forward to my upcoming trip with SAI to Umbria on October 11th.  It should be a complete blast!

My trip to Pompeii

My trip to Pompeii

– Ashley, St. Norbert College

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