- August 30, 2014
- 3:47 pm
- Jacob Guise
- no comments
When in Rome…
After an unexpected plane ticket issue in Chicago and an extra 24 hours in Montreal, I am happy to report that I made it to the eternal city – and boy, these first few days have been exciting. Orientation has been filled with meeting new people from many Jesuit institutions, numerous trips to the city center, and lots and lots of gelato!
There has been virtually no time for settling down – I was able to see Piazza Navona, and the Pantheon on my first night while I was eating gelato. I was able to catch up with a few friends in the historic and ‘popping’ district of Trastevere on my second night. I was able to walk down the Tibre and eat from many vendors on my third night, and I was able to to go into the Colosseum and Roman Forum as well as explore the Trastevere district again on my fourth night. Although I have had enough gelato and carbs that would last a person a year – all the walking has sure burned it all off!
While the first few days have been frantic trying to see everything possible, I have been thinking about how I want the semester to play out when classes begin Monday. I have been eager to meet other Quinlan students and talk about the ambassador program, what it does, and what changes have been going on in Quinlan. I am happy that I am taking three 300 level business classes at JFRC, but I have also been thinking about how to get involved beyond classes. I was able to find a few people who were interested in working for a local soup kitchen or teach English to a few local families – I’m eager to keep busy throughout the semester.
Along with activities in Rome, I’m eager to explore beyond the eternal city. I’m planning to go on a study trip to Istanbul over thanksgiving break, Morocco the weekend before, and an extensive trip to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam the second week of October.
I’ve already had an experience of a lifetime and cannot wait to see what this semester has for me personally and professionally. I’ll be sure to take you with me every step of the way.