Studying abroad was undoubtedly one of the greatest experiences of my life. I learned so much valuable information, both academically and related to every day life that I will apply in the future. I recommend taking a semester abroad to anyone who is considering it.
- One cultural observation that I found remarkably different in Rome was the meaning of time to people living there. Time is not as significant of a construct in Rome as to us living in America who are constantly emphasizing punctuality and readiness. For starters, in the afternoon hours of around 12-2, most businesses would shut down daily for what they dubbed “siesta time.” Another example of this is classes starting later than that of their scheduled times and teachers taking their time to arrive and start class. Additionally, time is most important when it is spent eating the delicious cuisine and having a meal with family and friends. That is, mealtime can take upwards of a couple hours because of how renowned it is there.
- The “siesta time” was surprising at first because when I went shopping after arriving, everything was closed in the middle of the day. I was taken aback because this does not occur in the United States. However, I appreciate this lapse in the day as it allows for workers to take a much deserved break. This usually did not effect me because I was in class at this time, but I never really heard other people complain about it either. I found teachers starting class late particularly shocking as well because teachers in America are extremely punctual and adhere to strict time schedules. I would show up to class at the scheduled starting time and some teachers would come in ten minutes late and then take another ten minutes to set up before starting class. This often times made it difficult to finish a lesson in that class period and we were constantly delayed in regards to the syllabus’ schedule. Finally, I really enjoyed the long meals because it gave me time to appreciate the Italian culture and cuisine while providing me the opportunity to create new friendships and strengthen existing ones. I wholeheartedly cherished every chance I got to eat meals with other people just to spend time with them. I always feel rushed when I am eating a meal in the United States, but in Italy, I felt like my time was respected by the locals which I was grateful for.
- I think Italians and people living in Rome would definitely agree that we have varying perceptions of time and its meaning in regards to daily life. I think if we took inspiration from them as to live a less strictly structured life, then our quality of life could improve. However, I think if they had a little more structure and punctuality, it would be easily adaptable for foreigners. Obviously, I am biased as I am used to the fast-paced life in America, but I do admire the more laid-back lifestyle that Italy offers as it was a nice change of pace. For Italians, I think the perception of time is holistic and really values the present moment. Experiences and the people you are with is more important than what is to come in the future.
- I think it is essential to remove judgment from cultural differences by looking at them from a different perspective. No culture has the right way of living or the correct lifestyle. Is it important to appreciate the cultural values of different countries as they can enrich us with so many life lessons, skills, and experiences. Eliminating biases and pre-conceived notions is vital in navigating the multicultural world that surrounds us. This exercise gave me the chance to step back and reflect on my experience over the past four months. I think we all have learned so many valuable lessons while living in a new country as it can be extremely challenging. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I had, and I have gained a newfound appreciation for experiences like these.