I absolutely loved my time in Rome! I was able to see and learn so much during my time there- we visited the Colosseum, the Vatican, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, and so much more. We were also able to visit a marble factory and an innovation company where we learned more about how to be successful global business leaders. I loved exploring the architecture and history of this city. I was particularly amazed by the number of churches in Rome and the time and attention to detail that it must’ve taken to build them. It was so crazy standing in the Roman Forum and trying to visualize what it would’ve looked like in its prime. The amount of work and power in that area has withheld for centuries. I also learned the differences in doric, ionic, and corinthian styles of building and how the styles and extent of the decor in the buildings also reflects the economic and political state of this city over different emperors and periods of time. I loved staying in the city, as everything is within walking distance and there are so many places to shop and eat. Though, I was sad that there weren’t as many cats roaming the streets as there were in Athens. My time abroad has given me a more global perspective when it comes to business, and has helped me understand cultural differences better. Some things were very similar to the US, but there were also several things that shocked me. For starters, the lack of clean bathrooms was something I did not expect. Another thing I noticed was that food at restaurants comes out so much faster than in Texas. Overall, I think all people and societies are generally similar, but share some underlying cultural differences. I’ve also learned so much about other people and myself from conversations I’ve had with my peers. I am so grateful for this experience!
