Renee Mason - Blog Abroad

Blog #1

January 2026

                      

Blog #2

February 2026

I’ve been in Rome for a few weeks, and I’ve been finding some less touristy spots that I would recommend for anyone visiting.

1. Jupiter Rooftop Bar & Restaurant: Shown in the first slide. I visited this restaurant for aperitivo, a pre-dinner drink meant to stimulate the appetite. You enter through a door, take an elevator up to the fifth floor, and then climb into a seating area with lights and heaters. It had a relaxed atmosphere, making it the perfect choice for a quiet night out with friends.
2. Caffetteria del Chiostro: This is shown in the second and third slides. This is a café part of the Chiostro Del Bramante, a Renaissance cloister from the 16th century. There is currently an art exhibit, Flowers. From the Renaissance to Artificial Intelligence, in the building as well. A ticket purchase is required for the art exhibit; however, it is completely free to enter the café, and well worth the price of a coffee. Stepping into the seating area felt like entering a different world. The walls are covered in art featuring flowers and cherubs with bright colors that shift throughout the room. Even the furniture follows the theme, creating a cohesive visual experience. This is my favorite café I’ve been to so far, and I will definitely be returning. 
3. Parco della Mole Adriana: In slides four through seven The Parco della Mole Adriana is shown. This park is located directly next to the Castel Sant’Angelo.  Every time I have walked by the Castel Sant’Angelo, it has been packed with tourists. The park, however, was almost empty. I sat there for a bit and read a book, enjoying taking a break from the busyness and crowds surrounding the castle. It is the perfect place to take a break and be in the moment.

    

   Finding local places where I am able to slow down and connect with my surroundings has helped me feel more settled in Rome. My ultimate goal while I am participating in this study abroad is to understand a different viewpoint on life, and to see Rome for more than what it is famous for. 

Blog #3

February 2026

I took a day trip to watch the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, where I got to see Women’s Ice Hockey, France vs. Sweden, during the opening week of the games. I did not know that the Olympics would be taking place in Italy during my study abroad semester, and it was not something I planned on or anticipated doing. However, once I learned that it was happening, it became one of my bucket list items to do while I am out here. Being able to see one of the events in person is something I will forever remember about this semester. This experience has been incredibly meaningful, as a few months ago, all I knew was that I would be living in Rome. I had no idea that I would be attending the Olympics. 

Since I had to travel from Rome to Milan, this was my first experience with the train systems. I took an Italiarail train that departed from Roma Termini, stopped in Bologna, and then arrived in Milan. It was about a three-hour journey one way, for about 6 hours of travel total. Because this was only a day trip, I had to be mindful of the timing between my arrival, the Hockey match, and the departure of my train back to Rome. It was a long day, but well worth it. This trip was a good introduction to the train system, and I feel more comfortable using it. I plan on taking more day and weekend trips to different parts of Italy.

After arriving in Milan, I walked around the city for a bit. I saw the Duomo and grabbed lunch before heading over to the Milano Rho Hockey Stadium. I was expecting there to be larger crowds for the game, but the Milano Rho Hockey Stadium had a capacity of 5,700-6,500 people. The facility itself was still under construction. This made the experience of finding my seats and navigating the stadium much less stressful than other large events I have attended, such as concerts. Experiencing the Olympics was surreal, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to attend.

Blog #4

February 2026

Today I went to the Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere. This church is still an active Catholic place of worship. It is one of the city’s oldest churches, and it is estimated to have been built in the 3rd century. It is also assumed to be the first official place of Christian worship in Rome. It is full of mosaics depicting Jesus and the Virgin Mary. One of the more famous is the "Life of the Virgin by Pietro Cavallini. There are also stained-glass windows and depictions of other saints throughout the church. This church has an active bell tower that rings the hours. I normally hear these from my apartment and in my classes throughout the day, making it a constant in my life, even though this was my first time visiting. 

I was stunned by the beauty the moment I walked through the wooden doors. It is free entry, and you can attend services as well. It is covered in mosaics, and the appearance changes depending on the time of day and the light filtering in from outside. Like many churches in Italy, the ceiling is ornate, with artwork and golden accents.  The exterior has four statues depicting saints, as well as a mosaic scene of the Madonna breastfeeding Jesus, with rows of saints on each side.

As long as there is no service taking place, you are free to sit in the pews and take in the mosaics and artwork surrounding the altar, or to wander around and observe some of the art up close. There is a hushed energy inside, which was a welcome break from the busy streets.  I also stopped by the gift shop and got a postcard and a bookmark for about $1. I stayed in the church for about 30 minutes, taking in all the art before leaving. It is only a six-minute walk from my apartment and is well worth the visit. Whenever I visit things like this, it makes me appreciate how well the history was preserved, and that it surrounds me in daily excursions.

Blog #5

March 2026

One thing about me is that I cannot be productive without a fun little study drink. With midterms looming, I made it a mission to find some good coffee and tea spots to give me motivation to study.

The first slide is starting off strong with Starbucks. My go-to order is an oat milk shaken espresso, and I won’t be changing that any time soon. This location is a bit out of my way, around a twenty-minute walk there and a twenty-minute walk back. Because of this, it is not my go-to spot, and this was my first time visiting. I will absolutely go back for a good iced coffee, as most of the places closer to me serve hot coffees such as cappuccinos, macchiatos, and espresso shots. The vibes inside were really nice, and I loved the mermaid art on the wall. This location has plenty of tables, so this will be a good place to sit down and study outside my dorm. My favorite part about going to this Starbucks is that the Pantheon is on my way. Every time I walk by it, I’m blown away by the size and amount of history. 

The next place I tried is ChaCha Lab. This place is closer to me and has a large variety of boba, coffee, and matcha. I got a matcha with strawberry purée. I love an aesthetic drink, and it tasted as good as it looked. The bonus for me is that this place is only a 10-minute walk from my apartment. 10/10 I will absolutely be back. This is more of a grab-and-go place, as there is not a lot of room to sit down.

The last place I tried is the Corner Juice Lab. Pictured above is an Iced Matcha with honey. I’ve tried a few drinks from them, but they are not my favorite spot. I do love that they offer different sweeteners and flavors for their coffees and matchas, but the caffeine content isn’t strong enough for me. They do have fresh juices, which I plan to try when I am not cramming for exams.  The café itself is really cute, and they have great food and breakfast options.