Author: Amanda Lowrey

In February 2019, a group of 6th-8th graders and chaperones were exposed to bountiful aspects of Rome including history, cuisine, art, and culture! With the amazing assistance of Italy’s Program Coordinator, Rachel Zitin, the group uncovered a richer understanding of life in Rome, as it was in ancient times and present day! 

For travelers who love history, architecture, art, churches, fountains, piazzas, ancient buildings, and tasty cuisine, Rome is not a destination to miss! There are takeaways that everyone benefits from that allow students to receive hands-on experience in a culture different from their own. At the same time, teachers explore aspects of a city’s history with a dynamic that makes classroom material come alive through the culture.

Within a week in Rome, students got to know the city quite well and appreciated the top attractions while exploring the less popular ones!

Read on to find out what the group got to see and participate in during their week in Italy!

A Roman Welcome

Following a long day of travel from the U.S. to Italy, the group enjoyed a relaxing dinner of authentic Roman pizza to start off their week! The Esquilino neighborhood acted as their home away from home and playground for exploration, which also houses important basilicas, such as Santa Maria Maggiore and San Giovanni in Laterano. 

Closely located to their accommodations was the Colosseum and Roman Forum! Considered one of the world’s most popular attractions, the magnificent Colosseum was once a grand spectacle for gladiators, and the group got the chance to tour the arena from 80 AD! Ancient Rome’s city center was also explored within the Roman Forum and students got to take in the sights of the beautiful ruins. 

Let’s not forget about Italian cuisine! The group partook in a flavorsome dinner at a local favorite nearby their neighborhood, which included hearty pasta, vegetables, and a delicious tiramisu dessert to wrap up their third day! 

Pompeii

Additionally, students and chaperones thoroughly appreciated the day excursion to Pompeii, a famous Roman city located 150 miles south of Rome, which was buried under volcanic ash in AD 79 as a result of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius! 

The group had the chance to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site with Rachel and an archaeological guide. Though the city is known to be “frozen in time,” the ruins gave students a unique insider’s look into ancient Roman life.  

Speaking of Mt. Vesuvius, did you know that it is still considered an active volcano today? The group had the opportunity to climb to the top, where they were able to see the Bay of Naples, Herculaneum and the Mediterranean Sea!

Art & Gastronomy 

Moreover, the group had the chance to become artists for the day! Since Italy is greatly known for its abundant art and culture, students walked around iconic sites and attended a watercolor workshop with an artist, where they created their own masterpiece to take home! 

Besides marvelous art and architecture, Italian gastronomy is hard to beat! The group prepared a three-course meal with a local chef, with a menu including Rome’s most famous dishes! Students and chaperones had a wonderful time and loved the experience in the kitchen! 

Correspondingly, Testaccio Neighborhood used to be the central port for food supply in ancient Roman days, and now accommodates some of Rome’s greatest eateries! In particular, Testaccio’s food market offered local delicacies that the group savored together! 

The Historic Center 

Furthermore, Rome’s historic center is rich in piazzas, cobblestone streets, and architecture, but also the headquarters of massive attractions, including the Spanish Steps and the Pantheon! This 135 step staircase was completed in 1725! The Pantheon is a two-thousand year old temple, which is now a church, and features the largest unreinforced concrete dome. 

In a similar manner, the Trevi Fountain is arguably the most famous fountain in the world! Tradition states that visitors toss a coin into the water to ensure a return to the Eternal City! Our students got to try this tradition out for themselves!

Vatican City 

Situated west of the Tiber River, the Vatican City is the world’s smallest independent national site and the epicenter for the Catholic Church. Covering a little over 100 acres, this city possesses stunning buildings, gardens, museums, churches, and maintains its own banking and media stations. 

The group ventured inside the Vatican Museums, which feature the world’s greatest art collections, including frescoed rooms by Raphael and Egyptian mummies! The Sistine Chapel was another fascinating and momentous building the group toured, which houses Michelangelo’s frescoes and The Last Judgement. 

Located within Vatican City, St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the world’s holiest catholic shrines and enormous central church in Rome. In the fourth century, the church was built on the site of St. Peter’s grave, but the original building was replaced with the current Basilica millions of visitors tour each year.

The group toured the aforementioned areas and learned about the plans and purpose of the city. In the evening, the group enjoyed a family-style Italian meal, including appetizers, pasta dishes and main courses! 

In closing, the group had an amazing time and took away lessons and knowledge that they’ll cherish for life! After having so many immersive experiences within one week, it’s no wonder that the group departed Italy with suitcases full of educational and captivating moments!  This type of program in Italy grants students, teachers, and chaperones, the ability to pursue an interest in international education, improve their second language skills, and see another part of the world.  

It’s important that programs feel connected and understood. Reflecting on experiences provides students with the opportunity to express their own thoughts and build trust in the team. For this reason, EdOdyssey directs groups to participate in group reflections each day, in order to unpack observations and takeaways together. 

For more insight into the importance of these meaningful moments together, check out our past blog, “Three Main Reasons Why We Do Group Reflections”!