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Roman Transportation

Paolo said it best in The Lizzie McGuire Movie:

“This is Rome, nobody knows how to drive.”

Driving

Driving in Rome could be an olympic sport in my opinion. There seems to be no rules: just try not to hit anyone else. There are no lines in most of the streets, so good luck trying to guess if there is one lane of traffic or two. And I swear, if I see one more motorcycle speed by at 80 miles per hour in a residential area, I may actually succumb to cardiac arrest. I luckily have no plans to drive in the city, or in Italy at all. 

Busses and Trams

Perhaps the most popular way to get from one neighborhood of Rome to another, public transportation can be both a blessing and a curse. While busses and trams are fairly reliable and arrive at their respective stops frequently, there are often so many people crammed into them that they make for sweaty, uncomfortable rides. Also, most transportation stops running after midnight (except on weekends), so going out too late at night could be a risky move if you don’t have enough money for a taxi. Which brings me to my next point.

Taxis 

Taxis in Rome are, like most cities, the most convenient way to get from point A to point B, but also the most expensive. Make sure you have the address of where you are going and not just the name of the place. The taxi driver probably only speaks a little English, and will not recognize your hotel’s/apartment’s location just from it’s name. As with most businesses and services in Rome, most taxis only take cash, so be prepared. 

Uber

Unlike in the United States, Uber is illegal in Italy. You can use the app if you’re brave enough, but your driver will be knowingly doing this “under the table,” so be prepared for a sketchy ride. 

Walking

Lastly, Romans like to walk. Something that is greatly underused in America is the power of one’s own two feet. It’s free, safe, and you don’t have to be packed in like a sardine. And besides, there’s nothing better than walking through an Italian piazza on a sunny day. 

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Two Weeks in Rome: Lessons Learned

Today marks 14 days spent living and studying in the Eternal City. While Rome certainly can’t be seen in a day, there are quite a few things you can learn about a city in your first two weeks. 

No one actually pays for public transportation.

It is important to note that it is illegal to use public transportation in Rome without a ticket, and could get you fined and/or arrested for doing so, but I assure you that the only people who pay for bus or tram tickets are the elderly or confused tourists. My advice? Always carry a 100 minute ticket that you haven’t yet validated (costing about two euros and available at any tabbachi shop) and only use it if a police officer is riding with you. Sorry, mom.

Rome has the cutest dogs- but their owners don’t have to clean up after them.

The title of this one says it all. Romans love their dogs, and will be more than happy to let you pet them, but be careful where you step at all times in residential areas of the city. Trust me. 

Americans say “Grazie” wrong. 

In every film or television show I’ve ever seen about Rome or Italy in general, “thank you” is always pronounced GR-AZ-E. Try saying that as you try to make your way through the crowds of people at the Trevi Fountain and see how many weird looks you get. 

Fashion is very important.

If you do not dress the way Italians do, prepared to get dirty looks on the streets. One day it was in the mid 60 degrees fahrenheit, so I wore a skirt with high knit socks and was quickly greeted with disdain from locals dressed as if there had just been a blizzard. 

But food is more important.

The rules regarding food in Italy are endless. The biggest advice I can give is never leave food on your plate, unless you want the chef to feel very offended. Oh, and don’t order an espresso after dinner. Just, don’t. 

The wine really is better.

And, generally, cheaper. The greatest wine I’ve had to date was a 10 euro bottle of prosecco. I cannot put into words how a wine so affordable tasted like something the Kardashians would sip by the pool. 

It’s the most magical city in the world. 

Rome has something for everyone. From the history and art, to the nightlife, to the restaurants, shopping, opera, and everything in between, all roads really do lead to Rome. 

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14 Days Until Rome

My final packet has arrived, and the reality of a semester abroad is setting in! Click below to read more about my housing, roommates, and plans!

Today I received an email I have been waiting months for. My final packet was finally available to view online. Heart racing, I logged onto my student portal to discover information that will be vital to my experience abroad.

The first thing I wanted to know is where I will be living. I knew that I would be placed in an apartment in a Roman neighborhood west of the Tiber River, but not much else was disclosed to me. I can now excitedly say that I will living in the neighborhood of Gianicolense, a beautiful area south of the Vatican with easy access to parks, public transportation, grocery stores, and more. I also got the names and email address of my five soon-to-be roommates: Dani, Christina, Kim, Nicole, and Alana. I sent out a mass email to them, and have heard back from four so far. It turns out that many of us will be on the same flight to Rome, which makes me feel slightly more comfortable about the cross Atlantic journey.

After reading the names, hometowns, and universities of each student participating on this study abroad, I discovered that I am not only the sole Grand Valley State Student, but also the only one from any Michigan university. While I feel moderate pressure to represent my homeland proudly, I am also excited to push my boundaries and meet others I would never have connected with in my everyday life. 

I am nearly ready to start packing, and hope to do so sometime this week. In the meantime, I will continue to daydream of endless pasta, nutella, and wine.

Until next time, wanderers. 

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17 Days Until Rome

It’s 4:27 am and I am getting so excited for going abroad there’s no way I can sleep. Click the link below to read more about my pre-departure life.

What no one tells you about studying abroad is how much work you have to put into it before you ever get on a plane. 

Just applying to my program required multiple essays, letters of recommendation from professors, and proof of a clean history. When I got the email that I was approved to go to Rome, I nearly cried from excitement. Then came the hurricane of paperwork. Proof of financial aid, medical approval from a doctor, list of desired classes and their equivalents at my home university, and more “I promise not to...” contracts than any twenty-something should have to sign. 

Just when I thought that was over with, I had to apply for my visa. Anyone studying in Italy for more than 90 days is required to obtain a visa through the Italian Consulate or Embassy that presides over their jurisdiction. If you’ve never had to apply for a visa, trust me when I say you are lucky. There were about 20 required documents needed (note that you need originals and copies of all of these), plus you need a two inch by two inch photo (good luck finding a place that will make you one that sized- every Walgreens in my state thinks I’m insane) and you must apply in person, regardless of how far away the consulate is from your house or school. Waiting in the sitting area of the consulate I met an Italian-American family that had driven four hours to get there to renew their Italian passports. Talk about brutal. Not to mention the sassy lady who worked the desk and completely rubbed my mother the wrong way... It was a not so pleasant experience to say the least. 

But now I have my visa. I’ve signed every form. I’m only 17 days away from the adventure of a lifetime.

Here’s a brief overview of what I have left to do before I depart the states:

-Packing

I’m sure that packing will be an adventure in it’s own right. Although I have a general packing list and know which items I want to bring, making it all fit is sure to be fun. I’m only allowed one 50 pound bag to check, and a small carry on suitcase as well. With that in mind I need to pack enough clothes, shoes, makeup, and feminine products to last four months. Plus my school supplies such as my laptop and charger (don’t forget a plug adapter!), a backpack, a five subject notebook, and pencils. Sure, there are many things I can buy once I get to Rome (such as toiletries, which I intend to leave behind), but many things are different/more expensive abroad. 

-Meeting My Roommates

Any day now I will receive a packet in the mail that will tell me, among other things, who I will be living with abroad. This is very exciting as I am quite anxious to start Facebook stalking them. Plus, reaching out to them beforehand will hopefully make move in day run smoother. 

-Planning My Travels

I intend to travel a lot while abroad. While I do have a list of the places I wish to see and the things I desire to do, I have yet to book any plans. I am hesitant to set anything in stone in case I make friends abroad who wish to come with me. So, although it is what I am most excited for, I check Google Flights everyday and wait, daydreaming about all the cities I’ll see. 

Until next time, wanderers.