Italy: Lily Schick (Places: Routine and Favorite)

I woke up in my small hotel room determined to experience the famed Italian cappuccino. The night before, I scoped out a local coffee shop called Bar Dominus and was determined to go every morning while in Rome. The first stop on the way was Piazza Bologna, a public meeting space, complete with a public drinking water fountain, anti-mafia street art, and an outdoor restaurant. Walking to Bar Dominus I passed locals walking their dogs, commuting to work and school on foot, and sipping coffee on outdoor patios. The trees and patio coverings provided shade on the cool morning, and I was amazed at how calm I felt. The walk allowed me to wake up, get accustomed to my surroundings, and prepare for the day ahead. The best part: ordering a cappuccino and croissant from the friendly owners became a morning ritual that I relied on to start my day right.

When I had free time, I went to museums. In addition to the outdoor archaeological sites (my favorite is the Forum of Trajan), Rome is the home to a variety of art museums that range from curated ancient marble statues to 21st-century architecture. My favorite museum in Rome is the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art. Every room in the museum is flooded with natural light, creating a welcoming atmosphere. The works, mostly paintings, included those by Vincent Van Gogh, Gustav Klimt, and Italian artists I had previously been unfamiliar with. One display that particularly stood out to me was a room filled with glass tiles hanging from the ceiling. Each tile had a different printed design that filled the room with color. The artwork allowed me to reflect on my time in Rome, and how much I enjoyed exploring the city and its art.

Lily Schick

Hometown: Brookfield, Wisconsin

Major: Environmental Engineering

Program: UW Sustainable Food Systems in Italy and the World

My goal while in Italy is to explore how my role as an engineer can help promote sustainable food production.