After our first week of staying in the beautiful farm area of the Rhineland-Palatinate with our outgoing host families, it was time for Global's annual "Big Trip". However, as the twentieth generation of Global Perspectives, we were given the honour of being the first Global class to fly to another place in Europe. Our destination: the ancient city of Rome. Upon arrival, we were astounded by the stunning landscape of the city. Our hotel was located in the old city of Rome which meant every block had at least one artifact or landmark that had been used throughout history. In between these buildings and artifacts, were amazing restaurants, stores, and shops. There was something in Rome for everybody.
Throughout the day we were given tours of the old city and the many stories that lied within it. We walked through the old streets and ruins to see many historic landmarks that had been left throughout time. We were fortunate to see the world renown Colosseum, the ruins of the Temple of Caesar, Arch of Constantine, the Roman Aqueducts and the Spanish Steps. In addition we saw many other temples, plazas and buildings that were old and unknown to us. Some of these places required further research such as the Piazza della Republicca, Piazza del Campidoglio and the Colonna Traiana. We were even fortunate enough to visit another country engulfed Rome, the Vatican. We were given a tour of Sistine Chapel, talked with some of the Swiss Guard and witnessed one of Michelangelo's most famous pieces of art, "The Creation of Adam". By the end of our four day excursion, we were exhausted from walking and running around the city trying to see as much as we possibly can. By the end of the trip all twenty-eight students who have very different opinions and perspectives all agreed on one thing...Rome has so much history that you cannot see it all in one lifetime.
Upon reflection, our trip to Rome furthered our understanding of the world we live in and taught us many skills. While many of us failed to see it at the time, we were improving many necessary skills that will help us transition into the travelers we wish to become. As we explored Rome, not only did we see the remnants of ancient history, but we also saw history in development. While in Rome we witnessed many political ads that we studied in Class. We saw a changing demographic in not only the locals but the tourists as well. On an individual level, most of the class improved there navigation abilities, time management, budgeting and many other skills. These skills were all learned throughout our adventure and have helped us become more independent. Hopefully, our memories and skills learned throughout our journey will fulfill the wish we made at the Trevi Fountain, when we through a coin over our shoulder into the water, to return once again to the ancient Italian city of Rome.