![\"Processed](\"http:\/\/blogs.luc.edu\/goglobal\/files\/2016\/08\/IMG_0049-2-300x239.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
There has been so much \u201cRome\u201d talk these past couple of weeks! I am totally anxious to board my flight to Italy on Tuesday, and it seems impossible that it\u2019s just two days away. After being accepted to study at the John Felice Rome Center last year, I remember thinking August 30th<\/sup> was a lifetime away. Don\u2019t get me wrong\u2026 though I am nervous for it to come, I\u2019m definitely excited, too. The only idea I have of what to expect is the advice I\u2019ve gotten from my mom, who recently visited Rome. She has given me her most meaningful tips, including taking an excess amount of black clothing and traveling as light as possible. And while packing has taken up most of my time this past week, I am more focused on arriving in Italia to start checking as many items off my bucket list as possible.<\/p>\n Here are 10 things I hope to do across the pond:<\/p>\n 1. Befriend locals<\/strong><\/p>\n Whether it\u2019s in Rome, another Italian place, or a random city in Europe, I\u2019d love to chat up people who actually live there. Talking to strangers is an everyday occurrence in Chicago, and I only hope to carry on the tradition abroad.<\/p>\n 2. Visit Paris<\/strong><\/p>\n I can\u2019t really explain why this city is on my list, but ever since I have observed other students abroad visiting Paris, it has been making its way to the top of my list. Perhaps it is there because it contains the world\u2019s largest art museum and monument, the Louvre. Something about it has always intrigued me.<\/p>\n 3. Have a crazy 21st<\/sup> birthday <\/strong><\/p>\n When I tell people that my 21st<\/sup> birthday will occur while I\u2019m abroad, they seem sort of sad for me, since the drinking age in Rome is 18. Ha! You all just wait. I have something big planned.<\/p>\n 4. Spend a day painting and drawing in a famous piazza<\/strong><\/p>\n I am obsessed with arts and music!!! My love for the two happens to be a huge reason that I chose to study in the first place. Today, I purchased a couple of small drawing pads and watercolors to push me to sketch and paint while I\u2019m there. Don\u2019t worry; I\u2019ll post pictures of my artwork, too!<\/p>\n 5. Bring back at least one Italian tradition<\/strong><\/p>\n Whether it\u2019s an Italian dish or some Italian language, I can\u2019t wait to share something foreign with friends and family once I return. I hope it ends up being food, to be honest!<\/p>\n 6. Go to a concert<\/strong><\/p>\n Rumor has it, the Chainsmokers will be performing in Milan during the month of October. For those of you who don\u2019t listen to EDM, just know, they would be an AMAZING one to go to.<\/p>\n 7. Fill up on wine, gelato, and espresso<\/strong><\/p>\n I did mention I turn 21 in a month right? Also, who doesn\u2019t love ice cream and coffee?<\/p>\n 8. Visit the Vatican City<\/strong><\/p>\n Well, you know I had to put something touristy on here? The Colosseum and Trevi Fountain are pretty much a given, but visiting the Vatican City is always something I\u2019ve hoped to experience, as well! Besides, my grandma MJ would kill me if I didn\u2019t at least try to see Papa Francisco.<\/p>\n 9. Experience nightlife in more than one European city<\/strong><\/p>\n I am a 20-year-old, after all. I absolutely have to experience the nightlife. Discoteca, anyone?<\/p>\n 10. REALLY get to know Rome<\/strong><\/p>\n This was a tip from the SLAs, to really get to know the neighborhood we live in as well as the rest of Rome. Even though I plan on traveling to much more than just Rome, I’ll definitely spend some quality time wandering around local shops and plazas.<\/p>\n After reading this bucket list aloud to my parents, they seemed slightly worried that the next four months sounded like just a vacation. \u201cYou are taking classes, right, Molly?\u201d To justify the \u201cstudy\u201d in \u201cstudy abroad,\u201d and to put my parents at ease, know that I will be taking some awesome classes, too! If you have any tips for traveling or any specific spots I absolutely have<\/em> to visit while there, email me at mketterer@luc.edu.<\/p>\n I can\u2019t wait to cross every one of these off my list, mostly so I can share this craziness with you all via blog. See you on the other side!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There has been so much \u201cRome\u201d talk these past couple of weeks! I am totally anxious to board my flight to Italy on Tuesday, and it seems impossible that it\u2019s just two days away. After being accepted to study at the John Felice Rome Center last year, I remember thinking August 30th was a lifetime … <\/p>\n
\n