Goals for studying Abroad in Rome

I just found out that I got into the Rome program I applied to and decided I wanted to make a list of my goals for studying abroad. I’m super excited with what opportunities I’ll get to have and how much growth I’ll get to experience as a 20-year-old.

Being a student with a crazy class and work schedule and a strict budget makes it almost impossible for me to travel, so being able to do both for five months is super heckin’ exciting.

After backpacking around Europe this summer, I made a promise to myself that I would do whatever it takes to be able to travel. The countless hours I spent researching which program and city would fit me best, I ended up choosing Rome.

Here’s a list of some of my goals for studying abroad in Rome:

Learn conversational Italian

So I’ve never taken any Italian speaking courses so this might be slightly difficult but I’m all game. When I went to Rome this past summer I learned pretty much the basics of Italian 101 and kind of what I needed to know as a tourist. I picked up a few phrases here and there that I learned from Italian locals and am hoping that my Italian vocabulary grows during the five months I’m in Rome.

While I’m in Rome I will push myself to try speaking Italian when ordering from menus and becoming friends with Italian locals that will help teach me the language.

Learn how to cook an authentic meal

Now I’m not the best cook, but I’d like to think I am. My current cooking skills consists of cooking chili in a crock pot, grilling chicken, or cooking pasta with canned sauce so hopefully I’ll be able to learn an authentic and appetizing recipe that I can take home with me!

Maybe I’ll enroll myself in a cooking class or find a Italian local friend that is willing to teach me. Either way, let’s hope I don’t burn the place down!

Learn about Italian culture

My parents have always taught me to look at traveling as a learning experience and not as a luxury, so I think it’s important to add learning about history to my goals for studying abroad. Even though I’ve never been great in learning history, I’m hoping I can bring back some fun facts about the roots of Italian culture.

Learn the city map as well as a local

Rome’s a pretty big city and I want to learn about every corner of it. Whether it’s by bus or by foot will obviously depend the shoes I’m wearing that day, but I want to be able to learn the streets, the towns, and have a endless list of cool places to go too.

Make spontaneous weekend trips

Now this is the one I’m probably most excited for. Some of my best friends are also studying abroad in Europe so weekend trips with my besties sounds like a blast! I’m not necessarily worried about deciding which destinations that need to make the list, but I do want to visit obscure, little towns that are full of life and culture.

And if I see a cheap flight, you bet I’m going to buy that ticket.

Do well in my studies

Studying abroad comes with a lot of challenges because you have the temptation to continuously travel without always taking your studies into consideration. Although all my credits will be pass or fail, I need to remind myself that doing well is one of my top goals for studying abroad.

Find a cool coffee shop

Now if you know me then you know I love coffee shops, so it’s definitely a must that I find one in Rome. Whether it means I’m writing a blog post for you guys, doing homework, or just grabbing a cup of coffee I want to find a place with a welcoming vibe

Find the best gelato shop

Ugh my weakness! In a land of gelato whose isn’t tho!! During my week and a half in Rome during the summer I tried several different gelato shops and maybe had a little too much gelato. After this trip I’d like to think I tried all the gelato shops in the land of gelato!

So there you have it, that’s my list of goals for studying abroad in Rome and as the time comes closer I’ll continue to add and grow this list. But as for now…

See ya on the other side of the world!