I am so excited to experience this semester abroad in Italy along with everything the Joseph S. Bruno Study Abroad Program has to offer! Living in Ariccia has been such an enlightening opportunity so far. Just being able to exist in such a small and quaint community makes me feel comfortable and we are able to experience what life is like for these locals. Whether it’s getting a daily ‘caffé’ from the Coffee Bar down the street or going into a shop to get a Porchetta sandwich, I have really learned to embrace what the people here do.
This week we were able to go into Rome for two days on a field trip. We saw most of the major sights that there are to see in Rome! This was a great way to prepare us for our own trip that we just took over the weekend. Let me tell you, trying to find my (or one’s) way around a major city without using a cell phone is a lot harder than it sounds. But, we did it! One of our assignments for the weekend was to find places from a scavenger hunt list of different sights and things to do in Rome. It really helped us navigate our way through the city and not just see the touristy spots that most people see. We stumbled our way through cute little streets and neighborhoods scattered throughout Rome, and it really made me realize that within a big city there is more character than I thought.
My Joseph S. Bruno study abroad experience has already enhanced my life in so many ways, and it has only been two weeks. I have learned so much about Italian culture, history, and people. But, most importantly it has made me learn so much about myself. I cannot wait to see how much it changes me by the end of the semester.
-Natalie Reifler

I COL ’em like I SEE EM