In January 2008, I ventured to Europe to study Renaissance Art & Banking in Italy. I, along with twenty of my peers and my professor, traveled to Florence, Rome, Venice, Siena, Sorrento, Pompeii and Pisa. The trip was a month long adventure into the history of business in Italy. This experience was breath-taking! I visited the Ufitzi Museum in Florence which houses the largest collection of Renaissance Art in the world, wandered through the masterpiece known as the Colosseum, trekked through ancient ruins of Pompeii, hiked up the Leaning Tower of Pisa, drifted through Venice on a Gondola, and ate as much gelato as I could get my hands on! What an experience!
Global Awareness
This opportunity to travel
outside of the United States has significantly increased my individual awareness of the world we live in. Being embraced in a culture so different from our own has allowed me to see through the eyes of other perspectives. While staying in Siena, Italy, I came across an Australian neighbor rooming next door to mine and we discussed world politics, policies and events that have made a significant impact worldwide. It was fascinating to hear such different opinions on several different matters. My month long journey throughout Italy has opened my eyes to a different culture and way of life. I am truly appreciative for this experience.
Family Ties
I have a special love for Italy, for my great-grandmother ventured from Italy to America seventy years ago. I was very close with my great grandma and missed her greatly when she passed away on January 14th, 2001. I will carry on her famous Italian recipes (gniocchi, copaletti soup) as well as her warmth that she shared with our entire family. I was fortunate enough to visit my italian relatives while in Florence this past January.
I will certainly be looking forward to traveling again soon to Italy!