The Luxuries of Time & Opportunity

Section I of Studying Abroad: The Calm Amid Chaos

Date: Written: May 19, 2023

Written & Published by: Rebecca Ruhnke

Location: Rome, Italy

Why Study Abroad?

Studying while traveling is often overlooked and usually followed by disgusted statements on why one would not enjoy the experience or why the expense is not worth it. “Why spend all that money to just sit in a hotel room working?” “That would be so stressful having to worry about the next assignment while trying to relish in the adventure and the new sights.” Though it is not always the ideal method of traveling as it is expensive and time-consuming, the process does help expand the knowledge of a destination and pushes the adventurer into a deep analysis of their thoughts, feelings, and encounters along the way. I have found studying abroad to be both extremely amusing and tedious. 

Why Rome?

I chose Rome for quite a few reasons: first being that I wanted to try the food and wine, second that I wanted to indulge myself in the scenery of nature and architecture, and third being that my mom’s side of the family is from Italy and I wanted to go back to my roots. Something that intrigued me when learning about Rome growing up was the history of Pompeii and how Italians changed their ways of living and their religious beliefs, as well as all of the food that I would try back at home at Italian restaurants. My plan for Rome was to go on a study abroad trip, and since this course offered that, I was able to engage myself in all of the planned activities and assignments that led me here. 

Preparation and Finances

My financial situation for this trip was rather strenuous as I did not have enough money in my savings accounts for the tuition payment so I had to take out a loan, and I’ve been unemployed for quite a few months so I had no income to spend while there. Thankfully, my parents were able to help me out by gathering up some cash, and my credit card balance was cleared and ready to be used. As far as my financial situation goes, I planned to eat cheap and only purchase souvenirs and gifts near the end of the trip. I had also applied for some jobs back home before attending this trip so I could reach out and schedule interviews for when I get back so I won’t be struggling as much to pay off my credit card. 

The Arrival & The Struggles that Follow

So far, my experience on the road, including a plane ride and exploring Rome upon arrival, has been fun and exhausting. I read the required course book on the plane and highlighted quite a lot of connections I was making to my own experiences as well as what I believed would be vital for the course itself. Given what I had read in the first chapter, I learned to anticipate things that you do not anticipate and how the journey challenges you in different ways through mind and body. Your body is going to have a hard time catching up with your plans as most of our aspirations and events imagine ourselves as crisis-free and ache-free.

My Setup on The Plane

Going into the trip, I had recently gotten a new carry-on with 360 wheels where my backpack could attach to the handle; this carry-on worked perfectly as I would glide through the airport leaving no strain on my neck, arms, and shoulders. However, my suitcase was given to me by my parents and is relatively old, so its wheels aren’t in prime condition. On our way out from the airport heading to the hotel, one of the wheels got busted, making me haul my 37.5-pound suitcase by practically dragging it on the floor for the whole way from the airport to the bus and then from the bus to the hotel. 

I was agitated, sweaty, and out of breath, my whole body aching from the unexpected exercise. I swore under my breath nearly every time I had to shift my weight to make the journey less awkward, but it was nearly impossible given that no matter how I adjusted, something always caused harm in some form. 

The Course Book That Warned Me

When I was preparing for this study abroad Travel Writing course, I was given a travel guide (the required text for the course from above) written by Alain de Botton, a famous travel writer and explorer who has also had his segments on the PBS channel. The Art of Travel was published in 2002 and follows Botton’s journey through different parts of the world as he vents and reflects on his feelings and experiences throughout the struggles he had faced and the sublime nature he found himself in.

I read most of the book, except for a few chapters, on the plane to Rome, and later found that his mindset on travel writing and some of the feelings he expressed while abroad relate to and reflect on my work and experience for this course. In sections, “Departure” and “Arrival,” connections can easily be made from his experience to my own. Though I had my suspicions on the journey from home to Rome, I didn’t anticipate that I would have to add more weight onto my person because I had imagined a smoother outcome. And though I can easily say “I made it here, didn’t I," as I let my mind ponder on my experience, I seemed to repeat Button's wise words, “But we never simply ‘journey through an afternoon.’” 

To Be Friends with Time

Visiting Rome is the first vacation I’ve ever gone on that is out of the country. I had to go through so many steps that included getting my passport, and as mentioned, making sure I had enough money. Being here is surreal; it’s almost as if I’m playing a video game where I get to make my traveler see and do incredible things. I have to keep reminding myself that this is real life and that I am the one experiencing it for myself. 

Being a part of a study abroad class, I get to indulge in both the luxuries of having my freedom as well as having a loose schedule to follow. This allows me to get out of my comfort zone and explore without feeling limited; I can journey about while making memories at my own pace. However, waking up as early as we do, which is roughly around six to eight in the morning, is not an instinct for me. I am nowhere near a morning person, even so I get to play pretend that I am an early bird which allows me to thoroughly enjoy my mornings. I convince myself that I wake up feeling refreshed, I get myself all dolled up and ready within a reasonable time, and then I go downstairs to eat my free breakfast and drink my cappuccino fuel before I take part in the plans for the day. 

Time feels so distinct and rare here. I typically am horrible at time management as I consistently run late to commitments and the clock never seems to be on my side. During this trip, I don’t feel intimidated by how much or how little time I have, and I have not been late for anything. Well, I may not have been exactly on time for a few things, but I was at least ready to go and head out when the time was near. Yet, the shock of being able to stick to a cute, organized schedule of mine, one of which works with me instead of fighting against me, is absolutely surprising and boastful. 

I wake up roughly between seven am and eight am, typically consisting of three diverse alarms; one set for seven, the other five minutes after seven, and the last set for seven-thirty. Depending on how late I was up the night before, I also set a precautionary alarm at eight am, just in case I snooze off the other seven am alarms. Once I’m truly aware of my surroundings, I check my phone for messages from my family and my boyfriend who has been sending my long love-letter-styled texts every morning; he wants me to start my day smiling. I’ll read them but I’ll wait to respond until I’m all ready, unless it is an emergency. From there, I roll out of bed with my hips, knees, and neck locked from yesterday's harsh walk mixed with the hotel’s firm mattress. I place my blistered feet on the cool, flat floors and waddle my way to the bathroom, if it’s not occupied. 

On my way in, I’ll look at myself in the mirror at the lion’s mane, aka my bedhead, before grabbing my hair brush off of the dresser, which makes a little hallway towards the bathroom. With strokes that break the knots, my hair deflates into its normal state. I can then determine what kind of hairstyle to try, relying on the way my hair flows. The moment I’m able to enter the bathroom, it’s game on. Since I usually shower at night, there is not much for me to do other than brush my teeth, wash my face, change into the clothes I had picked out the night before, and put on my makeup. As I contribute to the final touches of my external design, I begin to pack up my belongings and make my way downstairs to breakfast. 

I am usually able to eat my breakfast in peace. When I'm finished eating my eggs, bacon, pineapple slices, a baloney and cheese roll, and a possible cappuccino, I either join my class in the lobby before class starts or I go up to the garden balcony to study.

Time goes by quickly from there as the adventures of the day force me to focus more of my attention on the art and beauty rather than when I can leave. I am thankful that time has been on my side this trip, or in particular, I do not feel the weight of distress that being back at home brings, allowing me to finally appreciate and partner up with time.