I know we live in a palace, and even though it feels like we are living a fairytale, we aren’t locked in the castle. We can get out of our comfort zones. I believe that you only fully experience the opportunities that present themselves if you allow yourself to get out there and do things you might not normally do. I have approached my few weeks here with the intent of meeting as many people as possible, seeing as many places as I can, and soaking in everything I have learned.
Here is a bit of advice I have collected over the past few weeks for the next round of JSB students. While it is important to make friends in the palace, it’s a really good idea to get out and meet the locals of Ariccia, Albano, and other surrounding cities. These people find us just as interesting as we find them. They desire to speak to us and learn about why we are here, just as much as we want to hear about their lives. If you are trying to learn their native language then speak to them in Italian, regardless of whether they speak English. Also, you don’t have to go to a huge city like Rome to meet locals. They are right outside your front door. As for Netflix: don’t do it. Watching the occasional episode or two when you need a break is completely acceptable, however, netflix and movies are things you can do from anywhere in the world. You can’t hang out in a small Italian town on the outskirts of Rome from just anywhere.
I want to look back and make sure I have taken advantage of every opportunity that has been offered to me. So, when thinking about what you want to do, don’t wait for things to happen. Break out of the Palace and create your own fairytale.

A night in Rome with friends from Albano