Happy Traveling!
By: Benjamin Weimer, CAS ’19
Rome, Italy
GRIP Intern, U.S. State Department – Rome, Italy
Here are five tips for making the most of your time abroad:
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Wander the Streets – This summer when I first got to Rome, I didn’t know a single person in the city. Instead of staying in my apartment, I ventured out on my own, exploring restaurants and neighborhoods away from the city center. Some of these adventures led to incredible meals in local restaurants while others resulted in me wandering through huge outdoor markets or stumbling upon ancient ruins off the beaten tourist path. The best part was getting to know the city. By the end of the second week, I felt like I truly knew the city of Rome all from wandering with no destination through the ancient streets.
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Don’t be afraid to be American – One of my greatest fears abroad is to be the stereotypical American tourist in a bright floral shirt and cargo pants bumbling around the city while speaking in a slightly slower, slightly louder version of their normal English. Without being that out of touch with the local culture, speaking English is totally fine. While it may mark you as an American, many Europeans are happy to converse with you in English as long as you are considerate and cognizant of your colloquial vocab. You will also get a lot more out of your time if you talk to people, rather than being shy out of fear.
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Meet people – Being abroad can be lonely, especially if your usual friends are half a world away. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and make new friends, regardless of how long those friendships might last. One of my favorite parts of the summer was wandering around Piazza Trilussa in the Trastevere neighborhood in Rome, listening for English then meeting young American travelers. I never saw these people for more than a day or two, but it is so much more fun to go to dinner with a new friend or have someone to explore with, especially if you’re the tour guide.
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Stay in One Place – This is probably the opposite of the advice most people would give. Many people say that once you’re in Europe, you might as well see it all since airfare between cities is so cheap. This is definitely true. I think there is so much to see in Europe that you should definitely make an effort to travel, but keep in mind how much time you spend in your home city. In Rome, I was able to form some incredible friendships that I know will last forever, and most of these were made on the weekends. If you travel every weekend, you might miss out on building long-term friendships, arguably the most valuable take away from any experience.
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Find the Best – For me it was Gelato, I was determined to find the best Gelato. (If you’re curious, Otaleg in Trastevere is the best.) This silly goal helped me find my way to new and exciting neighborhoods all in the name of Gelato. Whether its Carbonara, tacos or the best espresso, having something that you like and love to try can help you explore more of your city and break out of your comfort zone.
Happy Traveling!
The Global Research and Internship Program (GRIP) provides outstanding undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to intern or conduct research abroad for 8 to 12 weeks over the summer. Participants gain career-enhancing experience and global exposure that is essential in a global workforce. Placements and funding awards are available.