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- One aspect of the host culture I had to adjust to was the consciousness for energy. With this, comes lack of technology and every day household goods I am used to using. Our apartment did not provide a dishwasher or dryer. Without these things, the process or cooking and doing laundry took a lot longer than normal. I had to adjust by dedicating more time to certain tasks. Also, there was not ac in the summer and limited heat in the winter. Wearing certain clothing during certain times of the year became an essential adjustment. In addition, hot water was extremely limited. With six people in one apartment, hot showers did not last long. Water pressure was also extremely low when multiple water sources were running. Rome is a very old city and it holds a lot of history. The buildings are visibly old and the appliances and technology are too. I noticed that a lot of bathrooms are in the basement of restaurants. This is simply because the old construction of buildings.
- It’s evident life if easier and more enjoyable with a dishwasher, dryer, hot water, and high water pressure, but I understand the logic. Italians prioritize saving the planet and money by using limited energy. The summer months were almost unbearable as my roommates and I could barely sleep in the heat. I spent a few nights shivering and sleeping in sweats. If I lived here for more than the semester, an ac unit and space heater would be needed. During the cold months, when sweaters, pants, and jackets were needed it took multiple days for them to dry on the drying rack. Although this wasn’t a pressing problem, I saw it as a great inconvenience. I will thoroughly appreciate these appliances when returning to the United States and not take them for granted in the future.
- My time in Rome was some of the best months of my life. I was extremely thankful for this experience and would recommend it to others. I believe a person from my host country would agree that Italians and Americans have an extremely different lifestyle. I find that some Italians are more accepting, curious, and appreciative of the American culture. A lot of Italians were glad I was able to experience their culture and happy I was eager to learn more. They understood my differences and helped when I had trouble. A handful of individuals I interacted with from my host country were rude simply because we were American. There are nice and mean people in any culture and I do not hold it against Italy.
- In future cultural misunderstandings, I will be patient with the individual. One of the best ways that I found to help with any problem is communication. Although it may be hard with a language barrier, asking questions for clarification or specific directions make things a lot easier. Google Translate came was a huge help in a few scenarios. I have accepted that every culture and person is different. The best way to get over any discomfort is to embrace it!
