My time in Italy was filled with experiences that taught me about Italian culture and allowed me to get involved with the lifestyle in Italy. I learned how to converse in beginner Italian, cook and indulged in local dishes, and explored the nation seeing everything it had to offer.

During my 5-week program, I had the opportunity to create a daily routine for myself which allowed me to feel as if I have always lived in the Roman neighborhood. Rome served as home for me throughout my time in Italy. I got to understand the transportation system around the busy city, say good morning to the school barista at which I would always pick up a chocolate cornetto (croissant) every morning before I went to class, and stop by the gelato shop on a hot summer day next to the apartments for a cool treat (my favorite is the pistachio flavor)! I also had the great opportunity to part-take in a cooking class where I learned to hand-make delicious Italian recipes. As each day passed by, I became comfortable in the routine I created for myself in Rome. I visited landmarks that I lived neighboring to, such as the Colosseum, Roman ruins, Pantheon, and the infamous Trevi Fountain, and got to learn the deep history that each monument and landmark had to offer.

In addition to Rome, I also got to expand my curiosity in Italy by traveling to places in which I was greatly interested. I traveled to Venice, Milan, Florence, and the Amalfi Coast just to name a few! With the help of the local community and the tour guides, I was able to pick up knowledge in regard to what each place was best known for. Florence for example is renowned for its high-quality leather, Venice is symbolized by the scenic canals, and lemon production is at its peak around the Amalfi Coast. The Duomo Cathedral in Milan was one of my favorite landmarks I visited in Italy, each part of the Duomo has a point of history rooted within it which grasped my interest throughout the tour.

By spending my summer in Italy, I got to expand my knowledge and had the opportunity to live life through a different perspective. During my program stay, I picked up little details which were different from the usual environment I grew up in, which allowed me to have an open mind and enjoy this experience I was given the opportunity to get involved in. My time in Rome and in Italy overall served great benefit to me and taught me to always have an open-minded outlook on life. I am beyond grateful I got the opportunity to immerse myself in a foreign culture that interested me so much and got to learn so much about its history. The community and culture here will definitely motivate me to come back sometime in the future, wanting to build on everything I learned during this program. Ciao!

Name: Riya Patel
Status: Junior
Majors: Human Biology and Physiology
Hometown: Livonia, Michigan
Program: Human Biology Summer in Rome