Ciao, Bella! ♥ italy series: settling in & sightseeing

ciao, bella!

My first few days in Rome have been a whirlwind! Adjusting to the new time zone, moving into my hotel and having to utilize the language right off the bat have been a bit overwhelming. Nonetheless, the staff at my new school, the John Felice Rome Center, have been extremely welcoming and wasted no time orienting us to our new lives for the next four months.

Balduina, the quaint neighborhood I'm staying in is highly residential and quite populated, yet peaceful and serene. I've already discovered a few popular local shops and grocery stores. Navigating the neighborhood by foot and by bus has given me insight into the true Italian lifestyle, not just the typical touristy way of life. The Italians I've meet so far have been outgoing and chatty, yet when I attempt to speak their native language, they reply in English. Because I live away from the campus, I get to walk to school everyday where everything is central - the Mensa cafeteria, the gorgeous library, classes and offices. The JFRC is very modern and beautifully remodeled.

Within my first week here I had the opportunity to tour staples of Italian art and architecture including: the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and the Spanish Steps. I'm looking forward to continue exploring Rome and other cities in Italy. Agropoli is next on my list.

A presto,
Ciara ♥

The Colosseum

The Pantheon

The Roman Forum

The Spanish Steps

Fontana del Pantheon