Italy: Trinity Perry
Program: UW Sustainable Food Systems in Italy and the World, Summer
Trinity’s Major: Genetics and Genomics
How were your program academics similar or different from taking classes at UW-Madison?
During this program, our group was constantly up and doing so many different cool activities and experiences, so we were almost constantly busy. We were also able to see everything as we were learning about it – talking about history standing in front of the Pantheon, or learning about sustainable agriculture on an olive farm. I knew coming into Rome that things like the Colosseum were 2,000 years old, but hearing about it and seeing it are completely different. It’s amazing that structures like that survived this long and are still largely standing.
We were also able to see everything as we were learning about it – talking about history standing in front of the Pantheon, or learning about sustainable agriculture on an olive farm.
What challenges or barriers did you face as you prepared to go abroad and/or during your time abroad? How did you work through them?
Every day presented its own unique set of challenges, from language barriers to cultural differences, that I and my classmates had to learn how to navigate along the way. One of the biggest moments that still stands out to me was from the first day that I arrived in Rome. A couple of us went to get pizza by the slice, and we had to fumble our way through ordering. I distinctly remember the man behind the counter saying “four” and then I asked “four what?”, to which he replied “four euros” and laughed a bit. Afterwards, he told us in mixed Italian and English that this was the best moment of his day, and I assume he will be telling stories of the American girls who came to get pizza for a while. This, combined with other little moments, like getting odd stares from the residents of Campobasso, having to pay for water and bathrooms, or even just walking through the city, really put into relief the differences and practices of Italian culture. It definitely helped that I was with a group and we were all in this together, so if one of us made a mistake, there were others to help along the way or laugh it off with me. Overall, over time, it became easier and easier to put experience into practice, and by the end of this study abroad I felt a lot more comfortable in navigating different situations.
What is a custom, food or tradition from your host country that you are taking forward?
Food is more than fuel, it’s connection. Throughout this program, we’ve been learning that the food is connected to the land and rooted in tradition, whether that be a specific dish or ingredient. Not only is the food itself a connection to culture but the way in which Italians take every meal as an opportunity to connect with one another, share stories, and talk for hours instead of the rushed and sometimes disconnected meals that occur in the US. You can linger in a restaurant without feeling rushed, there is plenty of outdoor space to sit with cafes nearby, and in general these spaces invite you to stay as long as you like with delicious food and drinks.