Ever since I was seven, I knew I wanted to live out my dream of becoming Lizzie McGuire by studying abroad in Rome. For the past 13 years, I have been looking forward to this time in my life where I get to see the world and eat as much pasta as I possibly can force down. Fortunately for me, the experience is living up to the decade of hype I’ve put into this dream.
Rome, also known as the Eternal City, is magical. There is something in the air here (probably the abundance of Catholics) that makes me feel revitalized and cleansed. Although I wasn’t sure a fresh start is what I wanted, it has turned out to be exactly what I needed. Rome is absolutely stunning in every light of day.
In the morning, it is bustling with Italians trying to force their way into every café around to grab their first of many espressos. In the afternoon, the tourists venture out to all the sites with bright eyes and grins of wonderment. In the evening, the nightlife is fuming with people of all ages grabbing aperitivos or a six-course meal.
Walking around century-old buildings and architecture is eye-opening. It reminds me just how brief our time on Earth is compared to the life of these ruins that have lasted thousands of years. Looking out over the Colosseum, where thousands of men died in gladiatorial fights, was breathtaking. Entering into small pizzerias or gelaterias that have been family operated for over 100 years is jaw-dropping.
The food is magnificent. There is no other way to describe the freshness of Buffalo Caprese that melts in your mouth and keeps you wanting more. The al dente pasta is to die for. There is no other place where you can get this perfect pasta with a century old ragù recipe.
But above all, the best part of Rome is the people. Everyone here is beautiful, either in the way they carry themselves, the way they speak or just in the way they are. Meeting people from all walks of life and different backgrounds is eye-opening to just how big the world is. My favorite person I’ve met so far is a 70-year-old man who spoke only Italian but somehow had me laughing while helping me with directions through my broken vocabulary.
Although it has only been a week, this experience is what I’ve always hoped for. I’m so grateful that I have the chance to spend a year seeing the world, meeting new people and trying new things in foreign languages. In the words of my favorite role model, Lizzie McGuire, “This is what dreams are made of.” Ciao!
