Studying Abroad in Rome

Special Contributor(s): Taylor Ramsey

Studying abroad in Rome has been the experience of a lifetime. As a student, I was able to explore and understand the city from a different perspective than I would have by simply visiting as a tourist. As an architecture student at UNC Charlotte, I was able to understand the history of the Romans through the built environment by people who have dedicated themselves to discovering Rome’s past. Rome is a city where its ancient history lives on as a part of daily life. As you walk down the street to class or the grocery store, you pass by buildings, structures, and other areas that have existed for centuries. The most interesting characteristic of Rome is that the modern level of the built environment is thirty feet higher than the ancient city, which means there are ancient structures that are just beneath one’s feet. There are places in the city where you can physically see the differences in the street levels.

Cat Sanctuary in Roman Ruins, photo submission by Taylor Ramsey

A great example of this difference, and also a cool place to visit is the cat sanctuary, which is an organization that rescues stray cats, feeds and supports them until they are adopted by a family. These cats are kept in a large Ancient Roman ruin site in the middle of the city. They get to play and live their lives within Rome’s historical landmarks. A great perk about this place is that it is open to the public for people to watch the cats or interact with them. Personally, my friends and I would visit the cat sanctuary often and pick up boba tea on our way there. It is a great place to relieve stress by watching the cats play together and petting them.

I believe that visiting Rome during the pandemic has also allowed me to bond with others despite the language and culture barriers. Now more than ever, every single human being is struggling with a new normal and because of this we all have something in common. Though it can be stressful and frustrating at times to work through the new measures and procedures the pandemic has created, people are always willing to lend a hand and give advice any way they can. With a global understanding and acceptance of the new normal the pandemic set, people can now relate to each other a bit more.

Villa D’Este, photo submitted by Tayor Ramsey

*Edited and condensed for clarity

For more information regarding this student’s specific program, check out the program brochure: Italy: Architecture Semester in Rome.