Cathy Phung, COMM major with a minor in Marketing, shares her study abroad experience in Rome. Find out how she fell in love with the city and Italian culture despite her time being cut short by COVID…
My First Trip Abroad
Studying abroad in Italy was one of the best last-minute decisions I have ever made. Prior to Italy, I had never traveled outside of California, so the thought of leaving my hometown of Los Angeles for 4 months seemed kind of crazy. I didn’t even have a passport at the time that I had accepted the study abroad offer so I had to go through the process of applying for one. It was surprisingly simple and much less stressful than dealing with anything at the DMV, so I don’t know why I waited so long to get my passport.
After hesitating to accept the program offer, I had about two months to mentally prepare myself for what was about to come. When others talked about studying abroad in the spring, they talked about their excitement and expectations for their time abroad but let me tell you, I was an anxious mess. It was the first time I was leaving the country, I didn’t know anyone else in the program, and my family and friends were going to be thousands of miles away with a 9-hour time difference. I was also extremely nervous about not being able to make those “long-lasting friendships” everyone talks about. As a commuter and transfer student, I never really felt a connection with the USC community, which was one of my main concerns when I chose to go abroad. Luckily, I found those long-lasting friendships I was told about. There’s no better way to get to know someone than seeing how they deal with all the unexpected situations that come up while traveling across Italy and Europe.
It didn’t take too long to adjust to my new life in Rome. I enjoyed my morning walks (and tram rides) across the Tiber to get to class and the classes at ACCENT were great, especially the on-location classes. What I looked forward to the most each day were my daily cornetto and cappuccino. It’s the typical Italian breakfast, but for someone like me who usually wakes up late, it’s a great afternoon snack too! During my free time, I loved going to the neighborhoods next to Trastevere, like Monteverde and Testaccio. Monteverde had a bunch of little shops and an amazing park that made you feel like you were not in the middle of a bustling historic city. Testaccio was home to the Mercato Testaccio, where many of us enjoyed shopping for fresh produce, and home to an amazing Italian art teacher named Giorgio! I absolutely miss Giorgio’s cooking along with his encouraging words about my art. There’s no way my art could have ended up in a museum, but Giorgio’s words gave me hope.
If there’s one thing I discovered while being abroad (aside from my newfound love for Caccio e Pepe), it’s that I am much more resilient than I believed myself to be. For someone who traveled abroad to live in a completely different culture, I did not experience culture shock as heavily as one would have expected. I also learned to roll with the punches, since study abroad isn’t always a smooth ride, especially when it comes to traveling. I also can’t help but wonder what other self-discoveries I could have made if I had spent all four months abroad.
Overall, I had fun. I am so glad I took the leap and decided to live in Rome for a few months. The program may have been cut short due to the COVID-19 situation, but those two months abroad were the most fulfilling two months of my college experience. As for Italy, I will 100% return sometime in the near future, since there is still so much to see. If you have the opportunity to study abroad, take it!
Also, HUGE shout out to Katy and Georgia for working hard to make this opportunity possible!
AUTHOR: AILEEN HERNANDEZ
The One Roman Neighborhood You Must Explore
As opposed to most ‘touristy’ neighborhoods of Rome, Testaccio is an old working-class district with a sense of local flair. Located on the edge of the old city, the neighborhood is a short way south from the Colosseum and the Tiber River is a quick hop over to the east of Trastevere. Our students live at the south end of Trastevere, so this neighborhood is about 10 minutes by foot from their student accommodation.
Testaccio, known for its rich history, exquisite food and terra-cotta hills, it may not be Rome’s top tourist destination but it definitely allows you to experience the true Roman culture with the locals. Here is a guide to explore this up-and-coming neighborhood of Rome.
Must-see attractions:
Monte Testaccio: A large man-made mountain, built out of terracotta which was piled up to form the hill in ancient Roman times. The surrounding area is now transformed and well-known for its nightlife and restaurants.
Slaughterhouse (Mattatoio): One of the biggest slaughterhouses in Europe, it now houses a museum and farmer’s market and food festivals.
Pyramid and Non- Catholic Cemetery: Testaccio’s most distinctive landmarks is the 37m high pyramid, constructed in the year 12 BC. The pyramid is one of Rome’s most conserved monument.
Explore:
Experience the local food market: From fresh produce, vintage delis, historic butchers, pastries and local wine, Testaccio Market is a great place to eat (why would you say no to free samples, after all?) and shop.
Explore Rome’s street art on a Vespa: Watch the abandoned, vintage buildings and hidden walls come to life with graffiti art in these streets.
Restaurants/ Eating in Testaccio:
Taverna Volpetti: Searching for a blast from the past? Taverna Volpetti is the perfect dining spot for you, offering ageless Roman specialties, for over four decades. Could you really say no to salami tasting platter with whole legs of prosciutto freshly cut to your liking with assorted cheese?
Perilli: Been around since the early ‘90s, the restaurant is known for its carbonara, amatriciana and gricia. Best known for its simple, elegant and unpretentious ambience.
Trapizzino: Experience the city’s latest street food craze. The eatery gets its name from its signature dish- the trapizzino, a conical shape pizza with fillings of your choice. Get pizza on-the-go without compromising on the taste.
Mercato Testaccio: For all the organic lovers, you can try fresh produce at this local fresh food market. From classic Roman dishes at Food Box, Le Mani in Pasta and healthy options at Zoe, this place is the perfect lazy, foodie day out.
Testaccio is the perfect neighborhood if you’re looking to get under Rome’s skin and see an alternative side of this beautiful city. Explore this vintage, untouched part of the town without having to deal with the crowd and the touristic buzz.