When Carlos B. signed up to take Italian classes with Alessio Giudice, Italian teacher at Skyline High School, his eyes were opened to a new world.
“Thanks to (Giudice), and the World Language Cluster at my school, I discovered a passion I didn’t know I had,” he said.
Over the summer, the senior had the opportunity to delve deeper into his newfound passion. He, along with a fellow Skyline Italian student, Ivan R., spent a month in Rome as part of a study abroad program.
“I have always been interested in traveling the world, so when the opportunity presented itself, it made me very happy,” he said. “I decided to go to Rome because I have always been interested in Roman culture and history. Having the opportunity to go there, not just as a tourist, was truly a great opportunity.”
The students immersed themselves in the Italian language, customs, and culture in a way they wouldn’t have been able to otherwise. Throughout the month, they took lessons in topics like homestay family, Italian art, shows, movies, songs, and famous Roman neighborhoods.
They also completed weekly projects, visited iconic historical sites like the Colosseum and the Fontana di Trevi, and took Italian language classes. At the end of each day, students went out into the city to converse in Italian with native speakers.
“We had community conversations. These involved having a question, for example, ‘what’s your favorite restaurant or favorite food here in Rome?’ and asking locals those questions in Italian to help us practice,” Carlos said.
At the end of the month, the students took a language proficiency test to assess how much their Italian improved since living in Rome. Living life in Rome as a local was the highlight of his time in Italy, Carlos said.
“The most rewarding part of the program was living in a new country as a local and the cultural immersion we had during our time there. We were essentially living like locals, not just tourists,” he said. “This experience made me want to return to Italy and study there because it’s such a beautiful city.”
Back in Dallas, Carlos said he is grateful for the community he built while in Rome. And, despite being in different time zones, the group still makes an effort to keep in touch and support one another.
“My favorite part of the trip was the people I met. Rome was incredible on its own, but sharing the experience with others was the highlight,” he said. “From my host family to classmates and even program leaders and teachers, they all made my Rome experience so much better. I am glad I can still talk to them, even though some are on the other side of the country and others are on another continent. I am glad I met them and consider them friends.”
His advice to students who want to take a study abroad trip is to seize the opportunity.
“No matter where you go or what you do, there will always be some fear. However, if you don’t take the chances presented to you, you could miss out on something beautiful and amazing that you will always remember,” he said. “When I first arrived in Italy, I wanted to go home, but now that the program is over and I am home, I can’t wait to return to Rome. Experiences like this often present themselves only once in a lifetime, so take it and enjoy it as much as you can.”
