GL 350, Last Blog!

It is hard to believe that this is my last blog that I will ever write here in Italy.  These past eight weeks have flown by, and it is hard to believe that in one week I will be sitting at home back in the U.S.  I have created so many wonderful memories here, and I encourage any Walsh student to take part in the opportunity I was given. 

Last week, our class had the opportunity to interview local Italians about their health care system.  At first, I dreaded going because I can barely speak any Italian, let alone have an entire conversation.  My support partner was Henna, and as soon as we were set free she walked right up to the first woman she saw.  She stumbled over words, but the elderly Italian woman soon discovered what we intended to do.  The woman took the paper, and began to fill it out.  After that I realized it would not be as difficult as I thought, especially because I would never see anyone again.

I am actually very thankful that we had to interview Italians.  As much as I disliked the idea, it made me realize that it does not matter what part of the world you are from, we are all humans.  At the end of the day, there will always be someone there to help you out.  It was funny even, because we ended our interviews at a local university, and students were actually asking if they could take a survey.  If we had to have more than ten surveys completed, there is no doubt in my mind that we could have fulfilled the request.

In chapter 21 of The Talented Mr. Ripley, Tom learns that the Italian police were searching for him, so he had no choice but to become Tom again.  To show how much he disliked this idea, Highsmith wrote, “He hated becoming Tom Ripley again, hated being nobody, hated putting on his old set of habits again…”  Here in Italy, we have formed several habits that we never had before.  For example, we all naturally say “no grazie” when we are offered something, eating salad before a meal seems unnatural now, and drinking more coffee in a day than the entire U.S. population.   Once we arrive back in the United States, it will be weird forming back into our old habits.  Everything that we have done here the past eight weeks will slowly be old habits and become nothing but memories. 

SOC 490, Week 6

            These past few weeks have really opened my eyes about Universal Health Care.  I have never taken a class that incorporated it before, so I am really grateful that I had the opportunity.  At first I had believed that Universal Health Care was a right, and then I doubted that by believing it was a privilege.  Now at the end of the course, I really am unsure of my viewpoint.  Each side contains so many supporting facts that I just do not know what to think!

            Last week we had the opportunity to go to a market and interview locals about their opinion on their health care system.  At first I was nervous because I can barely say a sentence in Italian, let alone have an entire conversation.  I was very picky at first trying to find someone to question, but eventually I gave in and just started going up to anyone.  After the first few, I actually began to enjoy myself.  It was very interesting seeing the feedback I had received and learned that even if you are not fluent in a particular language, it is not impossible to communicate with someone.

            At the end of Johnathon S. Ross’ article, he states, “America needs guaranteed, high-quality, affordable health insurance for all, with “everybody in and nobody out.”” As I stated, the first few weeks of class I truly believed this; however, now I am just not sure.  I still do believe that everyone does deserve some sort of health care, but after being here in Italy I am so thankful for the health care that the United States provides. 

            The last point in my blog will be about the notion of relationship between spirituality and illness.  Growing up I have been taught that this is true.  I have received countless cards and phone calls throughout my life saying, “keeping you in my prayers,” when someone in my family or I are ill.  I believe that the power of prayer truly does make a difference, regardless if someone is religious or not.

GL 350, Week 6

                Before I started reading Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr. Ripley, I had heard several students say that it was a boring read.  I, on the other hand, am somewhat intrigued by it.  This is because the novel takes place in Italy and now I can envision almost every event the author creates; from catching bus rides from Naples to simply saying “ciao” to someone, I can relate it to my own experiences.

            “He doesn’t act like an American, does he?  Most Americans are so noisy.  He’s terribly serious.”  This line was stated near the end of chapter six, which was a conversation that two women had after observing Tom.  After being here for six weeks, I have learned that stereotyping is never a good thing, because a lot of them are incorrect.  For instance, a few weeks ago when I traveled to Paris with the six others, the French were so kind and helpful.  I expected to go there and be shunned simply because I was American, but it was the complete opposite.

            Also, I understand why people say that Americans are loud and obnoxious.  It is simply because we are when we are in the presence of friends; however, I have witnessed several Italians being just as loud and obnoxious as Americans back at home.  Riding the train back to Castel Gandolfo with several teenage Italians is never enjoyable.  They are always shouting at each other and laughing obnoxiously, listening to music, and so on.  Also, when we traveled to both Florence and Sorrento, we took the fast train.  Before we entered each time, Danilo stated that these were business people, and they will not be afraid to tell you to be quiet if they hear anything at all.  Again, it was the complete opposite.  People were loud; talking to each other, on the phone, or even just typing obnoxiously on their laptops.  The major lesson that I have learned is to never judge someone solely by where they come from.  Chances are it is wrong.

            Another point in the novel that I found I connected with was when Dickie  and Tom were sitting in Naples, and all of the sudden they decided to travel to Rome.  One of the greatest opportunities about studying abroad is that you can choose to go wherever you would like.  The last free weekend we had Katie Dodds and I randomly decided to spend a night in Rome.  Before we even planned that, we were looking up cities to travel to our last weekend here, just because we have the opportunity.  Another thing that has changed about my outlook on life is that I desperately want to travel to more places.  Being here has made me realize how much of the world I have yet to see.  There are more than just beaches on the Atlantic Ocean.