This week in Rome I feel like was one of the first weeks that I feel truly settled and comfortable living in Italy. I have my routine down, I am able to find my way around the city better than usual, and on my own, and know what I like to eat while also trying new things.
I also feel as though I have a better handle with school, I am feeling more confident going into these projects and final papers as I solidify my ideas and work more with my groups. Especially with the video project in Honors 284. Last week I was feeling quite anxious about how my group and I would go about planning and completing this project, doubting my creative ability to create not just a visual piece, but a “cinematic” one. Though this was also before I had allowed myself to brainstorm, so maybe it was a bit premature. Earlier this week I met with my group and ideas kind of just started flowing. I am finally able to picture where our video will go and how we can go about achieving our vision. In service learning, I am gaining comfortability with the migrants and refugees that we see regularly. I am noticing that I am being recognized more often and some even say hi to me when getting their clothes. Not by name, but it still makes me a little proud of myself and happy that I can be small, and probably rather insignificant, regularity in their lives.
On Thursday, the Sant ‘Egidio volunteers, including me, went in to give Cecilia an interview to get a better understanding of the organization’s system and for our final paper in 233. I was able to get a lot of clarifications on questions that I had yet asked, got a look into Cecilia’s personal opinion on the organization, and her insight on what the common misconceptions are in Italy as well as how refugees are politicized. A lot of what she talked about I realized corresponded rather well with what we have been learning in 381. It felt quite full circle being able to connect her thoughts and knowledge to the lectures.
This week an experienced lawyer who works in Refugee and Asylum law, named Fabiola, came in and taught us about the legal system in the European Union and Italy on immigration policy. It was really amazing receiving the perspective from someone who is so well acquainted with the system in Italy.
We were also given a lecture surrounding chronic diseases in refugee populations, which I found incredibly interesting. While fascinating, it also made it more apparent that refugees and migrants around the world, are constantly exposed to some of the worst dangers that that world has to offer. They are continuously at risk.
Also left this lecture just slightly more unsure about the concept of sushi (which I love).
Lastly, we went to Pompeii!! Again, incredibly difficult to wrap my mind on the fact that people used to live here. An entire civilization used to just function in the same paths that I was walking on, but thousands of years ago. I really wish I could picture it more clearly in my own head, I need to work on my imagination skills!
And... Of course, Leni came and was an archeologist for the day :)
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