Ciao from Rome, Italy! 

Continuing through Europe, my sister and I spent three days exploring the heart of Rome! We stayed at New Generation Hostel Rome Center, which unfortunately was rather expensive considering our experience. It was decently close walking distance to tourist sights including the Colosseum and Trevi fountain, and had a reception and kitchen along with garden seating outside. However, while both of us can find activities on our own and don’t have many requirements for places to stay, the hostel did not offer group tours, activities, or surrounding suggestions. The hostel also charges about $45-50/night, and the room/beds were rather unclean with missing amenities (soap and the room’s single bathroom door lock had fallen completely off in a shared gender room). 

We were able to walk around many of the popular outdoor sights including the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and others such as the Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore, the overview of the Roman Forum, and past many other religious sites, churches, and, museums. Although we did not take tours inside of any due to the prices and high demand, we did visit the Museo di Scultura Antica Giovanni Barracco with free admission which held many unique artifacts and information about ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. 

A main part of the trip was for me to visit the university campuses of John Cabot University and the American University of Rome, two schools I am considering for my return to college in the fall of 2025. Both had very lovely campuses and although much smaller than my previous school, the University of Miami, they seem to have closer-knit student bodies and use Rome as their classroom, providing the students with a unique experience and ability to connect to a new language, culture, and community. I plan to return this September to experience both campuses during the academic year and gain a better understanding of the classes and curriculum. 

As for food, I don’t think I have ever seen and eaten as much pizza and pasta in my entire life as I have the past three days. It was almost a bit difficult to navigate at times, considering the lack of options (seafood is also very popular, but I am mainly vegetarian other than chicken/beef occasionally). There were also different hours than I am typically used to in the US, where many shops close for several hours during the day and reopen later for dinner. Grocery stores are also not as common, and much smaller than I am used to. There were many coffee shops with sandwiches and pastries, but even those became overpriced near the many tourist attractions. Interestingly enough, a ‘culture shock’ of sorts when we arrived was the lack of refrigeration used for eggs and different sandwiches with meats. The food overall now both in Spain and Italy is a lot less processed and regardless tastes fresher and filling without any feeling of sickness afterward. The portion sizes are a lot smaller but I don’t find myself hungry as often, or even bloated/uncomfortable after meals. It is much more enjoyable to have smaller meals throughout the day. Gelato shops are also plentiful, but I have no complaints there! Many carry homemade treats with an endless amount of flavors. 

Transportation was mainly simple enough, with many places walkable (although I am definitely still getting used to the cobblestone streets and hills), but a mile or two goes by a lot faster when the surroundings are so beautiful and detailed. The buses were cheap, at around 1.5 euros per ride, and an underground metro (slightly more expensive, I believe around 3 euros per ride), although the train to and from the airport (Fiumicino) was more expensive even for second class, a multi-stop train, starting at around 8 euros per ride. Overall the architecture was absolutely breathtaking, as Rome is now close to three thousand years old! The amount of detail and precision is incredible, and even the smaller apartments and store buildings are so distinctive with the designs and engravings decorated with vines and lights. The city itself is huge, and there is definitely much more to see! I look forward to returning, but for now, onto Albania! 

xoxo,

Ang around the World 🙂