Our journey to Italy was nothing short of transformational—for both the 16 91��ý students and the 4 community members who joined us. Over the course of our time abroad, we experienced Rome and central Italy not just as tourists, but as learners, listeners, and explorers, fully immersed in the art, literature, history, science, and spirituality of each destination.

We began our travels in Rome, where we were welcomed with a traditional Roman dinner that immediately brought everyone together over bowls of cacio e pepe, warm bread, and lively conversation. That sense of camaraderie stayed with us as we dove into the history of Ancient Rome, guided by a passionate local expert through the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Arch of Constantine, and Palatine Hill. Walking where emperors and gladiators once stood brought history to life in a way that textbooks never could.

Our visit to Vatican City was especially meaningful. Touring the Vatican Museums, we marveled at Michelangelo’s �ʾ����à and The Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel. The Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica had been opened for the Jubilee year, and many of our students took quiet moments to reflect at Bernini’s altar and under the magnificent baldacchino. Several students mentioned how moved they were by the �ʾ����à, and one said, “It’s hard to describe, it was just so inspiring.”

The literary side of Rome added an unexpected charm to our trip. At Casa di Goethe, Antico Caffè Greco, and the Keats-Shelley House, students explored the lives and writings of Romantic poets. A favorite moment: They bonded with the college-aged tour guide at the Keats-Shelley House, exchanged contact information, and are still in touch, a wonderful reminder of how literature can spark new friendships.

We visited the Da Vinci Museum, where hands-on models of his inventions brought his genius to life.  Students engaged in the engineering thoughts and concepts of Leonardo Daa Vinci.  The students then strolled through the Piazza del Popolo and walked up to the Pincian Hill which overlooks the entire city of Rome.  Anthony B. called it “breathtaking.” Students took time to walk through the Medici Gardens and compared plants that were the same as home as well as different varieties they hadn’t seen before.  At the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and Pantheon, the students joined throngs of visitors tossing coins and making wishes. In particular, the Pantheon allowed students to explore the very ancient temple turned to cathedral during the Christian Era and where some very noble people are buried, for example, the Renaissance artist Raphael, the first two kings of a unified Italy, Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I, and Umberto I’s wife, Queen Margherita.

We spent time in Piazza Navona, seeing Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers and celebrating the Epiphany with Romans dressed as “La Befana,” the holiday witch. Our students also explored Castel Sant’Angelo climbing all the way to the top of what once was a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian and his family and where Pope Clement VII hid from the invading German mersenaries who sacked the city of Rome.  Trajan’s Column which is compared to a “newspaper” detailing for the illiterate public the travels and successes of the Roman Armies.  Students were so excited to see the newly excavated site of Julius Caesar’s assassination recently excavated for public view, the Capitoline Museums which hosts the remains of many ancient sculpters, artifacts, and artwork from Roman Times.  The view from the back of the piazza overlooks the immense Roman Forum where the students learned of Roman life and politics. The Mamertine Prison students stood at what is believed to be the altar of St. Peter and where he was imprisoned before his crucifixion experiencing actual places from the historical recount from the Bible. 

Our journey then took us to Assisi, the hometown of St. Francis and St. Clare. Visiting the Basilica of St. Francis was a moving experience for many students. Students were engaged to explore the architecture of the cathedral within a cathedral as well as how the town was    built on volcanic mesas and is historically preserved in the background of the frescos inside the cathedral.  Students saw the actual artifacts of St. Francis, his robe, his sandals, etc.  Several of us joined locals in a joyful Epiphany festival in the town square where the epiphytal “Befana” witch repelled down the remaining tower built on Roman ruins still visible. Lisa shared that this stop was her favorite part of the trip.

In Siena, students quickly fell in love with the medieval charm and “college town” feel of the city. Many returned with “University of Siena” sweatshirts.  We visited the Siena Duomo comparing the architecture to the one’s seen in Rome and Assisi, the Piccolomini Library, and Santa Maria della Scala to learn about one of Europe’s earliest hospitals viewing fresco’s depicting healthcare at the time of the Renaissance. The Piazza del Campo sparked excitement as students learned about the Contradas and the famed Palio horse races. We dubbed ourselves the “Starfish Contrada” and wore starfish pins gifted by Dr. Rada. Our visit to St. Catherine’s shrine and sanctuary was especially meaningful to Dr. Glassford, as St. Catherine is her confirmation name, and the students appreciated learning about her powerful story. They also sampled local fare: Ricciarelli cookies and ribbollita soup were fan favorites.

From Siena, we traveled to Florence, whichwas a highlight for many. We visited the Duomo, Baptistry, and Museum of the Duomo, and some students climbed to the top for panoramic views of the city—one described it as “completely awestruck.” At Casa di Dante, students explored Dante’s complicated relationship with Florence and even used VR goggles to experience medieval Florence.

The Pinocchio Museum was unexpectedly delightful: students were sent on a scavenger hunt to learn about historic toys, and their competitive spirit took over. At the Uffizi Gallery, a guided tour brought Botticelli’s works to life. Students saw the Masterpieces with their own eyes.  The Galileo Museum was three floors of amazing relics of Galileo such as his telescopes and explored his ideas of the heliocentric universe.  The museum holds the world’s largest collection of scientific instruments from the Renaissance benefacted by the Medici and Lorraine dynasties.  Brian stated it was “the best museum of the trip—I’ve been waiting to see this.” At Palazzo Vecchio, students experienced the massive hall with huge frescos and learned how the political rule of the Renaissance was portrayed.  They roamed and caught live music in the courtyard and saw where Savonarola was burned at the stake. They stood in awe of Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery, as well as seeing six sculptures by Michaelangelo were started but not finished.  The students visited Santa Croce Cathedral, where many great Florentines are buried—including Michelangelo and Galileo.

We explored Santa Maria Novella, with its historic perfumerie where Renaissance perfumes are still made from the same recipe and explored how those perfumes were a part of their herbology healthcare at that time.  Students ventured to San Marco and Archaeology Museums, which housed artifacts from the time of the Etruscans through the Egyptian Era and to the Medici family collection and beyond.

We left Florence and, en route back to Rome, we stopped in San Gimignano, where students explored the ancient tower town, surrounded by vineyards and the rolling Tuscan countryside. George said the view was “beyond expectations; this is what I imagined Italy to be like.” And yes, we all had the “world’s best gelato” for which San Gimignano is famous for all over Italy.

In Orvieto, students toured the stunning Duomo and descended into St. Patrick’s Well which boasts an engineering feat of a double spiral staircase to avoid running into people coming up from people going down. This was amazing to the many engineering students on the trip.  We were also lucky to witness a live military police audition right in front of the cathedral—one of those serendipitous travel moments you can’t plan for.

Returning to Rome, we visited the Borghese Gallery, where Annellie whispered, “I can’t believe I’m here,” while standing before Bernini’s sculptures. The Capuchin Crypt prompted mixed reactions—students said it was “a little creepy yet beautiful.” We also stopped at Santa Maria Vittoria, then Santa Maria Maggiore, where we saw the relic of the manger of Jesus. Santa Maria Maggiore is where Pope Francis was recently buried. Marinella reflected that St. John Lateran Cathedral, the original “Vatican,” was “the most incredible cathedral yet.”  The opposition of all the cathedrals architecture throughout this trip was from ancient temples, through the Gothic period to the Christian Era.

Our final excursion took us to Ostia Antica and the Baths of Caracalla, where students explored the ancient ruins of what was once Rome’s bustling seaport. Many said they loved being able to imagine everyday life in ancient times.  The Baths stunned students with its grandeur.  Imagining what it would have been like in Roman times where nobles and slaves intermingled through the generosity of the Emperor at the time.

We ended our time in Italy with a heartfelt farewell dinner, full of laughter, shared memories, and talk of future travel.

The impact of this journey was truly immeasurable. For many students, this was their first time abroad, and some had never even left New Jersey. By the end of the trip, several were already making plans to study abroad in Rome or Siena. Three students even registered for the upcoming Ireland seminar.

Our community members shared how grateful they were for the opportunity to see and learn so much; they each noted that they could never have done as much on their own. The students viewed themselves as experienced travelers by the end of the trip and realized how much they could accomplish on their own.  Everyone left this trip changed: more curious, more connected, and more inspired.

We explored Italy not just with our eyes, but with our hearts. And I think it’s safe to say: many of the students caught the travel bug and are already dreaming about their next adventure.

“It’s hard to describe, it was just so inspiring.”
— Student reflecting on Michelangelo’s �ʾ����à at St. Peter’s Basilica

“B���𲹳ٳ�ٲ��쾱�Բ�.”
— Anthony B., on the panoramic view from Pincian Hill, Rome

“My favorite part of the trip.”
— Lisa, on visiting the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi

“Completely awestruck.”
— Student, after climbing Florence’s Duomo for a city view

“The best museum of the trip—I’ve been waiting to see this.”
— Brian, on the Galileo Museum in Florence

“Beyond expectations; this is what I imagined Italy to be like.”
— George, on the Tuscan countryside in San Gimignano

“I can’t believe I’m here.”
— Annellie, while viewing Bernini’s sculptures at the Borghese Gallery

“A little creepy yet beautiful.”
— Student, about the Capuchin Crypt in Rome

“The most incredible cathedral yet.”
— Marinella, reflecting on St. John Lateran Cathedral