Since arriving back in Louisville a week and a half ago, I have started to reminisce on my incredible semester in Rome. The past four months have for sure been filled with many ups and downs but I would not have traded it for the world and would do it again in a heartbeat. There were a few aspects of the home culture that I did not expect, but an overall one was the prioritization of the environment. This could relate to the low usage of heat and air conditioning, transportation, plastic bags, and so so much more.
Here in the US, you can most likely find either the air conditioning or heating always flowing. It is easy to change from one to the other whenever the temperature changes and you feel ok as long as either one does not go out or needs to be fixed. In Italy, however, it is completely different. During September many of us found ourselves always hot or sweaty and would feel a need to take a shower or have a few different outfits throughout the day as the only air conditioning in our apartments was in the living room and the water would have to be dumped out every-time it was on. This pushed us to have our fans always on and to even purchase additional ones due to the warmth. We prioritized having the air conditioning on when we truly needed it and looked for alternative methods to make us cooler. We experienced a similar adjustment when the temperatures dropped later into the semester and the building hadn’t turned on the heat yet. Though this change was easier since we could just bundle up and use blankets it still felt different as back at home there is not a set date to when the heat goes on. In both of these situations, someone from my host culture would likely feel a dramatic shift that could be unpleasant but would over time become more adjusted.
In Italy, it is common to find citizens walking or using public transportation instead of cars. If they have a car, it is commonly eco-friendly and on the smaller side. As someone who is used to getting in a car and going whenever I need to go somewhere, it took a little bit of an adjustment. I would find myself having to leave with an ample amount of time and plan for stairs, busy streets, etc. In the beginning, I found myself missing the transportation back in my home culture but over time came to enjoy walking as it became relaxing and I could listen to music or call people back at home. This idea is one of the many ways Italy pushes to find time to relax which I something that I have grown to love. With most Americans feeling the need to “go go go” and quickly be from point a to point b I think many would find it frustrating at first but would then allow them to be relaxed throughout the day.
In the end, many would view my experience as a once in a lifetime and I absolutely could agree with them. The past semester has prepared me for the future and has taught me so many life lessons. Living in another culture has truly helped me experience and enjoy learning about multiple cultures throughout the world and I will forever be grateful.