Spring Study Abroad - Rome

Rome is a wonderful place to not only find oneself, but also to establish the person one already is. As someone who keeps God as the center of their life, going to Rome is one of the most enriching experiences I would love to partake in. From seeing relics of the saints to attending mass at St. Peter’s Basilica and even just getting to walk in the place where the Catholic faith was challenged multiple times, one gets invigorated to protect the faith. 

Being a Theology major enhances the experience even more since it is an opportunity to encounter God everywhere you go even the classes I will be taking that spring semester. Not just in the theology and philosophy classes but also the art, architecture, history, and literature classes. The enrichment of the mind adds to the impact of the Rome semester which sets it apart from just visiting Rome as a regular tourist. Acknowledging that education is a very important part of life changes one's perspective on how life should be approached. There is a sense of humility to be learned when we open ourselves to be taught something new, emphasizing our necessity to surrender to God and receive what he is putting in front of us. 

Getting the opportunity to pray in some of the holiest places, where the art and architecture are directed towards God is a surreal experience that is rare in Dallas. The distinct culture in Rome that allows for a more leisurely lifestyle not only nourishes the body but also the soul which is a crucial part of living out the Catholic faith more easily. The Italian food made with love plus the laidback ambiance and the rich culture full of inexplicable beauty allows for the whole person to be taken care of in a different way. This supports the goal that UD has for encouraging and nurturing a more well rounded person. 

To make the most out of my semester in Rome it is advised to travel and get to see different places where some of the greatest saints were persecuted or where human history took a turn for the worse, but tells the story of human suffering and encountering God in the most unlikely places. I would like to use my spending money to travel to Poland which is where pope JPII was from and where Auschwitz is. Ireland to visit a cathedral. Spain in Avila to see where St. Theresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross suffered. Also to travel in Rome to different places.