GL 350, Week 2

  

Today was the beginning of our third week here in "Rome Home." We arrived back from Venice late last night, and it was hard to grasp the idea that we were in the same airport just two weeks ago, walking out into the Italian air for the first time. Each and every global learner had a purpose for coming to Rome, including myself.  Barzini stated that several people make a journey towards the city in order to improve themselves and that nothing could be better than a trip to Italy. Like many, I would have to agree with Barzini.

I have always been a sheltered person; growing up in a suburb right outside of the city, oblivious to the world outside of my town.  By coming on this trip, I find myself having a greater outlook on life.  I am slowly starting to grow outside of my comfort zone and am beginning to live by the famous saying, "do as the Romans do."

           Today we had exited the metro station and stood in front of the Coliseum.  When we took the same exit just two short weeks ago, every global learner’s camera was out and we could not take our eyes off of the Coliseum.  Today, as we waited for several students to fill up their water bottles, all of us stood so nonchalantly as if the Coliseum wasn’t even in our sight.   Professor was the first to point out this observation and he quickly said to all of us, “you are all Romans!”  That’s when I realized that many of us truly act like Romans regardless if we speak the correct language or not.  We maneuver our way throughout the city; taking every method of transportation and admiring the views along the ride. 
            Rome is a city that has the power to intrigue people more and more because of its combination between artifacts and modern day articles.  To make Professor’s observation even more accurate, while I was reading Barzini he began to say that Italy was known for some wonderful things; however, the same things that it is known for has better quality in other places such as Greece and France.  For example, he stated that Greece had better meals and France has better cuisine.  What I found interesting was that I was truly appalled that Barzini could even compare any other place to Rome.  It is unnatural to me that in just two short weeks I have learned to call Rome my second home.