GL 350: How has the Rome Experience made you a global citzen?

This experience has changed us in many ways. There is much to say about how this experience has made us into global citizens. There is no better way to learn about a different culture and lifestyle than to study/live in another country.

The first thing that helped make us global citizens is the fact that right when we got here we were thrown into the culture. The first day we were in Rome and had only been on the metro once, we had to go alone to two different areas and explore on our own. This was good for us because in some job situations you are thrown into doing things you make have little or no experience with in an unfamiliar place. It was scary but once you did it right you felt so proud. There are many instances where we were put in situations like this whether it was ordering food or asking for directions in Italian, once you did it correctly you felt so relieved and happy. By experience this we will be able to do this in similar situations in different places with more confidence. Along with this we were also required to learn patience throughout Rome. Whether it be for the transportation or the people who can be quite rude at times. In "Coversations" Costanzo Costanini says "Are you aware that Rome has become more and more neurotic, chaotic, and jammed up?" all of which we experienced first hand here. While we all know where we would love to have a job, right out of college that place may not be available. Many of us will have to be placed within a bustling city which can be chaotic and annoying at times, but by being here we have been able to learn to practice, whether we want to or not, patience and calmness.

Second, we were emerged into the history throughout Rome. From the Colosseum with the real facts about gladiators and the Roman Forum to the catacombs and all of the stories behind most of the popes buried within the walls of Saint Peters basilica. This city has so much history to absorb and to be able to see how our country was able to help them and through that we may have lost many lives which we were able to see through the American Cemetery but it made connecting to our history more clear. Also we've learned about Roman history all throughout our lives and being able to be in he exact places of where it took places such as Julius Caesars murder as well as where some slaves were able to fight for their freedom in the Colosseum.

Another way we have learned to become a global citizen is through our home-stay experience.By living with an Italian family for a week, experiencing family meals and the day to day lives of an average everyday family. We had to use our minimal knowledge of the language to try to communicate with some of our host family members who knew little to no English. Also how the whole family has dinner together every night at nearly the same time everyday. I know many families at home who can barely sit together all together once a week especially when the kids are in high school and involved in different extra curricular activities. The children of our families also still live with their families although they are in the mid to late 20's which is very different from in America.

By being able to experience all of this and being able to understand why they do the things that they do it makes me feel like I can be put into different situations and as long as I keep an open mind, I can learn so many different types of cultural values and adapt accordingly. It has made me realize how appreciative of my high school art teacher for teaching me about all of the famous art works within Italy, and how none of the pictures will ever be able to show the true beauty of seeing them in real life.