Ciao! From the land of Panini’s and Lavender gelato (Yes, it’s delicious and not weird)!!! As I sit here typing this second post, I can’t help but think of how far I have come from that first pre-departure blog. Upon landing in Italy, I was quickly faced with scenarios that took me out of my comfort zone and showed me that I had to jump into the unknown despite the fear or the outcome. One of these instances occurred when the school athletics coordinator began advertising for the women’s five versus five soccer team. While I never had played soccer formally on a team or club, I had dreamed of playing and constantly wished I had been giving the opportunity at a younger age. Fear, however, is a deadly insurgent, and I struggled with the concept of deciding if I wanted to try out or not. I would tell my roommates during our home cooked meals “guys, what if I’m so terrible they tell me I can’t play,” they always laughed and promised me a warm home-cooked meal if that were to happen. “Evelyn, you’re going to be fine! Just do it if you’re terrible you’re terrible, and then your bravery will at least be admirable!”
One of the main reasons I had decided to try-out was for the concept of creating new friends and meeting people who had the same interests as me. Ever since I began rowing at Rollins I loved and knew the amazing bonding and lasting friendships that can blossom from an athletic team. Often, I believe that they are the purest types of connections since you lose, win, and train together despite the result. With only 24 hours left to make my decision I decided to jump into the unknown, “guys, I’m going to try-out today don’t expect me for dinner!” I texted nervously into our WhatsApp group chat.
With encouraging texts and emoji’s, I was off on my way to try-outs. Since the assistant coach had notified the older members of the team that I would be trying out a day late they decided to wait for me in order to ensure I made it on time to the stadium, an action which I already felt was beyond kind. The walk there reminded me of why I had decided to launch into this experience in the first place; everyone I talked to was extremely kind, funny, and welcoming. Chatting about topics from soccer to English classes to places back home, I quickly felt excited and less nervous. Upon arriving to Trastevere StadiumI was shocked. It was inherently a beautiful place with the local team’s logo in the middle of an Emerald green field. The sound of cleats against the pavement echoed nearby, and the high-pitched squeal of whistles followed by a barrage of commands in Italian could be heard from all corners. It felt like a whole new world.
Coach Cinzia, an Italian woman around 5’5 tall with green eyes to match the field and brunette hair sporting A.S. Romagear guided us through the drills. Addie, a senior on the team whom I had met on the walk to the field waved over to me “come with me if you want to live” she grinned. I laughed out loud and ran to where she stood on the field. After drills and scrimmages Coach Cinzia smiled and told us we would meet again the next day.
Without realizing it, the days became weeks that flew by. Somewhere along the way, I managed to keep my footing and eventually was given official gear and told to pick my number and name for our official jerseys. Ecstatic filled with passion and joy, I thanked my roommates and new-found study abroad friends for giving me the push to dive off the deep end of the pool. To this day, I practice every Tuesday and Wednesday after class from 7:30 to 9:00 P.M. Sweaty and starving I get home at 9:30 with a smiling face from cheek to cheek, “how was practice?” Asks Megan one of my roommates, “so good” I smile back out of breath and full of joy. If I never had taken the risk to fail I never would have experienced the sheer joy and wholesome fun that joining the soccer team here in Rome has given me. While It can be so scary to dive into the unknown alone, I truly believe that it is here in this uncomfortable space that we go the most as humans. So, as the days continue to fly by I have learned to say yes to any experience that will help me grow as a person, despite how scary and different it may seem. After all, when in Rome am I right?