GL Blog #7

GL blog #7

Prompt: How has “The Rome Experience” prepared you to become a global citizen?

                In my first blog at the beginning of this trip I quoted, “With anything, you must start at the beginning.” It is hard to believe that I am at the end of this adventure here in Rome. Also in my first blog I spoke about how I decided to embark on this adventure because I needed more, and I wanted to see more. I had to get away from the constant routines of my regular life, and take on something new. Not until recently I discovered that I was trying to search for something perfect I suppose. I learned a lot on this trip, but most importantly I learned that nothing is truly perfect, even the magnificent Rome. Rome has a part of me that will always be here. I grew up a little during these eight weeks on these streets, and I will always remember Rome for that.

                In The Smiles of Rome, Alice Steinbach quotes, “Rome and I are not lovers. We are not even friends. I can only hope that Camus was right when he wrote that ‘what gives value to travel is fear.’ I suppose it’s possible that a little dash of fear gives value to more than just travel. For one thing, it can teach us to be brave.” Through these last few years out of high school I have not felt my age, I have always felt much younger. This trip has made me feel much older than I truly am, and I feel as though I have emotionally matured a lot. I realized years ago how short my life really is, and this trip has proved that even more. These eight weeks have flown by, almost like they didn’t even happen. I have more than the memories and the pictures though; I have the emotional attachment to Italy that will never be forgotten. I will always keep with me the way that I have grown here.  

                Globally, my perspective has changed with all that has changed inside of me. Nothing is perfect in America, Italy, Spain, or France. I am just taking a slight guess, nothing is perfect anywhere. Jesus even says, “There will always be the poor.” I have brought it up in many of my blogs, but the amount of poor people I have seen on this trip has been unbelievable. I actually started to not feel as bad for them as I did from the beginning of this trip, which really saddens me. It just became routine. Considering my days here are winding down, I decided to take a walk on my own in the grand Rome today. I stopped in my favorite church, visited a few shops, and ate at my favorite café (where the workers can now recognize me). As I was leaving the café I bought a few chocolates for the trip back to the metro. On my way, I saw the same young girl on the side of the street asking for food that I had seen multiple times in that exact same spot. I have not given anything to anyone on the streets on this trip just because I am a kid in a foreign country, who does not have any idea what they will do with what I give them. As I walked passed her I reached into my pocket and pulled out a chocolate and handed it to her. Thinking that she may be upset that it wasn’t more, she smiled at me with a look that I will never forget; a look of love and hope. Yes, from just a piece of chocolate that I eat every day, she was home. It is ironic, that is one of the moments I will never forget here in Rome. All over the world there are poor, homeless people. The best thing I can do for these people is love and care for them. This is only one of the many ways I have grown here globally.

                I have a bigger outlook globally, and I feel as though I understand the Italian culture much more than I ever thought I would. I will miss Italy more than I ever thought I would, but I am ready to go home. I have also learned there is much to cherish in life, and once you take a step away from it, you begin to realize how important it is to you. My life back home, my friends, and most importantly my family, have never felt so vital to me in my life. My life would truly be nothing without them, and I am ready to step away from my love for Italy. So long to Italy for now, but I will return.

                “Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” Terry Pratchett