Renee Mason - Blog Abroad

Blog #1

January 2026

This is the start of a four-month blog for my Study Abroad to Rome, Italy. I’ve been here for give or take two weeks so far. This is my first time outside of the United States, and I am so excited for this opportunity. To be honest, I expected more culture shock and homesickness. Maybe it hasn’t set in yet. I’m still living in the honeymoon phase where nothing feels real. I’m expecting reality to set in once I get used to my class schedule and this starts to feel less like a vacation. One of the biggest adjustments so far has been getting used to the lack of shopping convenience compared to the United States. I can’t just go out and buy things on a whim, as grocery stores and pharmacies require walking and planning how much can be carried back to the dorms. Additionally, the stores close earlier than I am used to. I also left my hair tools back home due to voltage differences, assuming I would be able to buy some here, but it took me about a week of looking to find a store that sold them at a reasonable price.
I’ve been making the most of my time, and I’ve already visited some major tourist hotspots and some lesser-known gems. I’ve been to the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Roman Forum, The Vatican, The Aventine Keyhole, and The Sistine Chapel. Some other places I’ve visited are the Orto Botanico Gardens, the Trastevere Neighborhood, and so many restaurants and gelato places. Wandering the streets has been a great way to explore and get my bearings.
The last Sunday of every month, the Vatican Museums have free entry from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. Being that this is currently the off-season for tourism, I was surprised at the line to get in early in the morning. Despite the crowds, this has still been my favorite stop. I’ve been an art history nerd for years, so the opportunity to see Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam fresco is something I could never pass up.
I also enjoyed visiting the Orto Botanico Gardens. Even in January, I was blown away by how peaceful and green the gardens were. I will definitely be returning as spring approaches and the flowers start to bloom.
This is only the beginning, and I’m so excited for the rest of my time here.
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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. 

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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.

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