Rome is Home: Here is to the Next Three Months!

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It has been five days since quarantining, and I have been continuously on the move since. Initially, I was trying to explore everything I can before school starts; however, my friend told me that it’s okay to take time to slow down because Rome is our home for the next three months. That stuck with me because I often felt rushed to see everything as soon as possible. Since Lazio is turning from orange to yellow, I can start dining in at restaurants and visiting museums beginning February 14th.

I walk everywhere because I am not sure how to use the metro or buses yet. Hopefully, by the end of next month, I will be used to navigating public transportation. Some of my Italian friends say the metro is a bit difficult to navigate. Most Romans travel by foot, so I have been working off my pasta and pizza! My favorite place I have visited is Vatican City because of how spectacular Saint Peter’s Basilica is. When I was standing in front of St. Peter Basilica, I was in awe because of how large the physical building was (considering I am only 4’10) and the importance of the church back then. I have never seen anything like it back at home. Check out the video below to see what I did at Vatican City!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KXLvZaAyvE

I feel blessed to attend in-person classes starting tomorrow because it has been a little over a year since I have been physically in school. I am looking forward to walking 25 minutes away and exploring the streets of Rome on the way. Attending online courses has been difficult in many aspects, including wi-fi problems and focusing my attention on my computer screen for work, classes, and clubs. I anticipated stepping foot on Temple Rome, located right beside the Tiber River on Via Lungotevere (street name). Look forward to a tour of my campus soon!!!

Julie Kim

<i>"Hello" in your host country's language:</i> Ciao <i>Home Institution (your U.S. University/College):</i> Temple University <i>Expected graduation year:</i> 2022 <i>Destination city & country:</i> Rome, italy <i>Program provider:</i> Temple Rome <i>Major/minor:</i> Communication Studies / Entrepreneurship / Content Creation <i>Demographics:</i> First-Generation, Korean-American <i>Future career aspirations:</i> Further down my professional career, I want to work in an advertising agency that would allow me to travel and work digitally, specifically in content creation. <i>Top 3 goals for your time abroad:</i> 1. Learn how my identity as a minority exists in Italy, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is important for me to overcome the stereotypes of American tourists and have difficult, but necessary, conversations about the increased fear of Asians since the outbreak. 2. Volunteer as an English tutor at one of the three local high schools Temple Rome is associated with. 3. Get experience with an advertising agency to learn about persuasion techniques used in Italian media and society.