Packing Lists, Pasta Dreams, and the Road to Palermo
Penn Global Seminar: Palermo: Empires, Migration, and Mafia
By: Katrina Korendiy
Katrina, one of the Spring 2026 Penn Global Seminar Correspondents, shares her experience abroad during the Spring Break. Follow along with the group of correspondents on our blog and look out for their images on the @pennabroad Instagram feed.
Preparing for a Penn Global Seminar is a strange mix of excitement, curiosity, and a slightly chaotic packing process. In the weeks leading up to our trip to Palermo, Italy, I’ve found myself oscillating between reading about Sicilian history, imagining wandering through open-air markets, and staring at my suitcase wondering if I really need three pairs of shoes. Like most people preparing for travel, my process started with a list. Actually, several lists. I’ve been trying to balance practical preparation with the excitement of heading somewhere completely new. One of my first steps was writing out a Palermo checklist in my notebook; everything from travel documents to the random essentials you only remember once you’re already at the airport. My desk has slowly turned into a mini planning station: notebook open, pens everywhere, and a cup of coffee that has been fueling most of my preparation sessions. In the photo of my desk, you can see that notebook open to the checklist where I’ve been mapping out everything I need to bring, from chargers and adapters to the inevitable “just in case” items that somehow always make their way into a suitcase.
Preparing for this trip hasn’t just been about logistics, though. One of the most exciting parts of participating in a Penn Global Seminar is that the travel is connected to what we’re studying in class. Throughout the semester, we’ve been learning about Sicily as a crossroads of empires, migration, and cultural exchange. Palermo in particular has a reputation for being layered with history: from Arab and Norman influences to Spanish rule and modern migration patterns. Instead of learning about these things only through readings, we’ll be able to see how these histories are reflected in the city itself: in architecture, food, languages, and everyday life.
Knowing this makes the trip feel different from typical travel. I’m not just visiting a place; I’m preparing to experience a city that we’ve been discussing, debating, and analyzing for weeks. It’s exciting to think about stepping into spaces we’ve only read about so far–walking through neighborhoods shaped by centuries of migration, visiting historic sites we’ve discussed in class, and observing how history continues to shape the present. Of course, the reality of preparing also involves packing chaos. My room currently looks like a staging area for an expedition. There’s a suitcase open on the floor, clothes draped across a chair, and various bags slowly filling with things I’m convinced I’ll need. The second photo captures that moment perfectly: an open suitcase waiting to be organized, a backpack that will become my carry-on, and the slow realization that packing efficiently is much harder than it seems.
While the packing process has been slightly chaotic, it has also made the trip feel very real. Every item I pack reminds me that soon I’ll actually be boarding a plane and heading to Palermo.
What I’m most excited to explore once we arrive are the everyday spaces of the city. Palermo is famous for its historic street markets like Ballarò, Capo, and Vucciria–places where food, culture, and daily life intersect. I’m curious to see how these markets function not just as places to buy food, but as social spaces where locals, migrants, and tourists all interact. After spending time reading about them in class, I want to experience the sounds, smells, and rhythms firsthand. Beyond the markets, I’m also looking forward to simply wandering through the city and seeing where the streets lead. Some of the best travel moments happen when you’re not following a strict itinerary; when you find a small café tucked into a corner, hear live music coming from a piazza, or discover a view you didn’t expect.
For now, though, the preparation continues: one checklist, one suitcase, and one cup of coffee at a time. Palermo is getting closer, and I can’t wait to see what it has in store. ✈️