Final Reflection - Geharii W

Our J-Term trip to Italy was one to remember. One month of first-time experiences and amazing opportunities was something to be truly grateful for. I loved meeting new people and making new friends. Prior to this trip, many of us in the class didn't really know each other, but we all got along fairly quickly. 

Discussing our backgrounds and each other's interests in this course revealed how similar we actually were.

It was fun to learn Italian with my classmates. We practiced talking to each other, and familiarizing ourselves with the language made it easier to connect with locals and understand certain experiences. 

Another of my favorite experiences was interacting with the locals and immersing myself in their culture and traditions. Singing and dancing, whether it was by the bonfire or on the hillside, was amazing to be a part of.  L'luisella was a pleasure to meet, and I love her enthusiasm and involvement during our activities. 

We learned in L'Aquila about the restoration processes on the distressed buildings and the work being done to revitalize the area. Many of the museums being renovated are being funded by the city after the earthquake in 2009. I enjoyed the REX METOME Leader Museum for the Future. There, they showcased influential people and books. One interesting thing about this place was their thinkers chair. This museum also served as an attraction where people could come and reflect on their thoughts and ideas after connecting with the environment and the small city.

Something cool to learn about was the scribes at the archive museum. 

We had learnt that during the medieval period, individuals would write their letters in cursive. This technique allowed them to write faster and also to maintain the ink flow from their pens or feathers. An interesting thing I noticed was during the transcribing of one of the letters. On the outside, everything looked so complicated to understand. I thought how did this ever make sense until our docent started reading the words, and as I was following along, it became clearer that the scibes wern't scribbles; it became more understandable. 

I love how there were little highlights from each one of these places I could take away, that aligned with my interests. From this experience, there was much to learn and grow from. I appreciate our time, especially in the smaller towns, enjoying time outdoors and in new places.