Final Comments & Blog

Final Comments & Blog
July 2009-upon returning to New York

It is difficult to begin to describe my experience in Salerno as it touches me on many different levels. To me, Italy has always been more than just a physical place to visit, but a state of mind. Reading a text book cannot begin to explain the thousands upon thousands of years of history that dwell amidst the Italian people, the buildings, the faith, and most importantly, in their hearts. I hope to find a piece of myself in it all. Before beginning this program, I had many expectations about what I would feel, learn, and how I would interact with the other students. While some of these turned out exactly as I expected, others resulted in life-changing realizations that I will never forget.

With all that I was experiencing interacting with my peers, another revelation entered my mind regarding my faith and relationship to the Church. I had the intentions of using my time abroad to become closer to God, figuring that I would be less distracted and have more free time. It turns out that I was very wrong. While I did have a lot of time to think and reflect on this journey, my spiritual life took a backseat for most of the trip. It’s only now that I look back that I see that it wasn’t as distant as I thought. In the end, it affected me in a very real, but indirect way.

In the end, my project group and I concluded that although the geographical heart of Catholicism is located in Italy, the spirituality of the religion branches across the world. While some of these observations may sound harsh or biased, we acknowledged the fact that they were based on only a few experiences in one town, and may not truly represent Italy as a whole. At the same time, we were also comparing all of these observations against our traditions in America, possibly skewing our perception of truth.

In other words, while my goal on this trip was to become more connected to my faith through personal prayer, I was disappointed that this was not the major focus in the end. Instead I became connected indirectly through my academic studies, cultural observations, and interaction with both Italians and the other students.

I have to repeat a point I made awhile back in another post: The biggest thing I took away from Italy was the way Italians live their lives. The simplicity of happiness there baffles me. It makes me realize how much I over-complicate my life. I make myself believe that I want these things; power, success, wealth. But in reality, I really do know what’s important to me; I just don’t know how to obtain them. It seems like the tangible material things are easier to acquire, especially when the things you truly desire involve other people; family, friends, and lovers. If I learned anything there, I hope that I learned to appreciate the small things that I treasure; for wherever your treasure lies, there will you find your heart. Spending an afternoon with my nephew just giggling and playing, a meaningful conversation with my parents, or the embrace of the one you love; none of these can be measured in vanity, numbers, or by spectators.

(Photos: Jumping for freedom & Castellammare del Golfo, Sicilia)

Saturday, June 6th 2009 @9am Blog #23

Saturday, June 6th 2009 @9am
Blog #23

Arriverderci Roma! My blogging has been lacking without an internet connection here in Rome this past week. And what a week it was. I’ve learned more about myself, my peers, and my family in this one week than all my time in Salerno. Both good and bad of course.
The good: the city, where many periods of history and modern times collide at full speed into a mess of different emotions and forms of expression. Some compare it to New York, but I don’t agree. It’s a different dimension and not quite reality. I could spend months exploring all the Roman ruins and Renaissance art here, and I feel cheated doing it in only a few days and under the constraints of others. But I’m not worried. I know I will be back. There’s not a doubt in my mind that many more adventures await me in Italy. It’s hard to explain this passion of mine to see the world, especially when I hear those around me complaining. I yearn to experience different cultures and to see how they affect me, and I feel that I do so with an open mind. I want to understand the world’s differences, both good and bad, and embrace them as they are. It’s ironic that when you travel, you tend to notice that many of the world’s problems root from simple misunderstandings and people’s inabilities to accept simple cultural differences. I can go on forever….
Now for some more good; my family here in Rome. A few days before my parents and brothers arrived, I was warmly surprised by my family who basically ambushed me at my hotel. It was a reunion filled with many tears and catching up, and it’s hard to explain the feelings that overwhelmed me. I guess I was missing that closeness of family after being surrounded by students for 5 weeks. I was also fortunate to meet my cousin Lucio’s baby, for the first time. Luca is 16 months old and quite a hand full! He reminds me of Christian in many ways; very clever and saying the funniest things (except they’re in Italian)!
As I sit here in Fiumincino airport, waiting for my flight to Sicilia, a wave of diverse emotions are stirring in my head. Relief; enjoying the beach of Castellammare after a month of school work. Joy; seeing my Dad’s family after 2 years. Anxiety; coping with trying to get along with my family. I’ve always been different, but I think the more time I spend away from home, both in Boston and abroad, the gap seems to widen. And lastly, I feel love; for certain friends at home, and for Rob. Time apart always does the heart well, and in my case, my feelings have only strengthened.

(Photo: Making my 2 wishes at the Trevi fountain….the first is secret, and the 2nd is to return to Rome)

Friday, May 29th 2009: Last Day of Class

Goodbye Salerno, saluti a Roma e Sicilia!

Our visit to Piacenza

Me, Bobby, Emily, Amanda, Gaia, and Peppe

Saturday, May 25th 2009 @9pm Blog #22

Saturday, May 25th 2009 @9pm
Blog #22

I can’t believe I only have one more week left in Salerno. I have to really focus this week because there is a language final at L’Accademia, a culture final exam, paper, and project (all which will affect my GPA at Northeastern). I’m doing my project on Catholicism in Italy vs. America based on all the observations I’ve made these past few weeks. It should be interesting as I haven’t felt comfortable at any church yet. I’m very worried about my language final because my mid-way progress report was lower than I expected. But to be honest, I don’t think they reflect well on my capabilities. For example, I got a 4/5 under comprehension, when I understand 100% of what the teacher says. The only thing I can think of is that I ask a lot of questions on new vocabulary, but I can’t imagine why asking questions would lower my grade. Anyway, I need to boost it up on the final.
I’m also super excited about seeing my parents and 2 brothers in a week! It’s the first time we will be in Italy all together. I’m wondering if my brothers will actually want to hang out with me, or treat me as their little sister. At home, we rarely hang out because of the age difference, but I’m hoping that we can use this experience to become closer and have some fun, and I would like to be included as an equal in this. The way I can see it, it can go 3 ways: we can all go out together at night, they will judge me for going out, or they will go out without me. We shall see what happens.
Tonight is Stefano’s last night in Salerno (our guide) because he’s going to France for another job. So we are heading out for drinks to say goodbye….

Saturday, May 24th 2009 @10pm Blog #21

Saturday, May 24th 2009 @10pm
Blog #21

The wind is a horse:
hear how he runs
through the sea, through the sky.

He wants to take me: listen
how he roves the world
to take me far away.
-Pablo Neruda

Bobby and I spent the day on the island of Capri taking in the scenery, the sun, and carefree attitude we brought along with us. The poem above is from a famous Chilean writer and politician that I like who spent some time on the island back in the 1950s. My favorite part was a walk we took up and down the many paths that surround the villas that are tucked away into the mountain side. It was nice to get away from the tourists and see some nature. It was so hot out that we couldn’t resist going swimming on a very rocky beach (my feet are all cut up) that had crystal clear blue water. Unfortunately, I couldn’t go to the grotta azzurra like I’ve always wanted to because it was too expensive and my pockets seem to have a whole in them lately. I felt bad because it’s not like one goes to Capri everyday….hopefully one day I will return and be able to see it.

(Photo: Me on the boat Capri!)

Saturday, May 23rd 2009 Blog #20

Saturday, May 23rd 2009
Blog #20

Returned from my trip to Piacenza to see my future university: L’universitá Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. Some of the students on this trip with me will also be attending there with me in September 2010 for our International Business program. I would like to study there for 2 years so that I can receive a double degree and masters, but it will be a lot of work. When we arrived in Piacenza, we were greeted by my Italian friend Gaia and the director of our program at the Cattolica. They showed us all around campus and answered many questions we had about the program. Then Gaia took us around the city and all the historical sites. I took lots of pictures! It was a beautiful day out, but a bit too hot for me since there was no breeze from the ocean. Gaia told me that compared to Northeastern, la Cattolica is relatively small, and sometimes there’s not as much to do. I think my high school was bigger in campus size. Even if this may be the case, I still think that the university will be an interesting place to study to obtain the goals I have for myself in the future.
Since I stayed with Gaia over night, I was able to meet her friend Peppe, her parents and brother. They were so nice for opening their house to me and giving me a place to sleep. I’m glad I made this trip, even if it was long and expensive, because at least now I know exactly what to expect, and I can make some decisions.

(Photo: Me in front of the school’s sign)