Skip to content
- A confusing aspect of Italian culture and more broadly speaking, European culture, was the public transportation system. Previously in my life I have never taken buses or trains when traveling around a particular city or country, the method of transportation has always been a car or plane. In Rome, traveling from place to place was only manageable by bus, given its a large, spread out city. Navigating the public bus system was quite confusing, as it felt like there were hundreds of different bus numbers and routes I could take. The first few weeks felt uncomfortable, as I wasn’t used to this method of getting from place to place. What was especially confusing were the train stations. There are many different platforms for each train, specific times the train will be departing (which was always promptly on time), and simply a busy and chaotic environment to be in. It was quite overwhelming my first time using trains to get from city to city but I acclimated very well to the European system.
- I feel as though this system of travel has its pros and cons, as most things do. The aspects I enjoyed were the economic benefits. Not having to purchase a car and pay for its insurance and gas saves a lot of money. It also allows for less stress, as driving in many European cities and countries is very overwhelming, congested, and time consuming. Something that bothered me when using the bus system in Rome was how awfully crowded the buses became at times, especially around 9 am when many people were going to work; I felt like a sardine over a dozen times, completely crammed and squished against sweaty strangers. Not an enjoyable experience in those moments to say the least!
- I believe someone from Rome would view my experience as immersive and authentic. I visited over 25 different restaurants during the semester, indulging in the delicious Roman cuisine. I became familiar with the cafes and restaurants on the street of my apartment and made friends with the employees at my favorites; a gelato shop, pizza shop, and cafe. I traveled a lot throughout Italy, exposing myself to as many cities and towns as I could! When I studied for class, I had a favorite study place that all the local Italian college students would go to, which allowed me to really feel a part of the community during my time attending university there.
- These reflections allow me to look back upon my experience and understand the depth of different cultures and truly see the differences from the United States and various parts of Europe, especially Italy. With a wider perception of misunderstanding and conflict that can arise when traveling or living abroad, I have learned to apply patience, empathy, compassion, and tolerance. Coming across barriers has also taught me resiliency and has shown myself that I am so much more capable than I previously believed!
