Study Abroad Blog

It is hard to fathom, but I have been in Rome, one of the greatest cities in the world, for three weeks already. It seems like I just arrived yesterday. At first it was difficult to adjust to the fact that I am no longer in my comfort zone speaking my native tongue; instead, I comprise a minority of American students, with the extent of my Italian vocabulary being "Ciao" and "Grazie." Now that I have settled in, and am adjusting to "La Dolce Vita" (whilst trying to improve my verbal Italian skills to avoid looking like an ignorant American), I am starting to notice many components of how Italians live day after day. Perhaps the most notable observation - the Italians have a reputation for being crazy drivers. For instance, when the light turns green for pedestrians to walk across the street (take that for what it's worth) cars still have the right of way somehow. And the tiny cobble stone streets that create picturesque photos? They sure amplify the beauty of Rome's narrow streets, but wear comfortable shoes since they will leave your feet (and back) sore the next day.

There is, however, one major similarity I have unearthed between Rome (and Italy, for that matter) and America, which kind of serves as a comfort when I miss home. Italians enjoy the same entertainment media as we do in America, specifically films and music. I cannot count how many days I walk down a side street to hear one of Lady Gaga's many famous tunes or see an advertisement for the films "Up in the Air", "An Education", "Alvin and the Chipmunks 2", "Invictus" or "Avatar". In this aspect, Italians enjoy the same things that we do, and I like it. Why is that? Well, I already mentioned that it reminds me of home when I miss it, but it also demonstrates the importance of American pop culture in Italy. Surely Italians make their own films and listen to their own musical creations (some which may surpass American films and music, I'm sure), but the reliance on American entertainment shows how powerful and universal American entertainment and pop culture truly is.

At the same time, I luckily get a daily dose of Italian music as I pass a man playing the accordion while walking to class or the man on the tram strumming his guitar to Italian folk songs. It's refreshing to see the juxtapositions between American and Italian culture in these aspects. Hearing traditional Italian music here immerses me in the culture, which you aren't exposed to when you hear the Black Eyed Peas' "Meet Me Halfway" for the umpteenth time.

It is also great to break away from the American pop culture/entertainment scene here and be exposed to actual authentic Italian films. One such movie that must be a huge hit here in Italy based on the media attention it has been getting, along with the innumerable billboards I see advertising it, is called "Baciami Ancora", which literally translates to "Kiss Again." However one does not need to decipher the Italian upon viewing the movie poster, as it is quite obvious from the portrayal of two lovers kissing that the movie is a love drama.

Another movie that is advertised everywhere I turn is called "Io, Loro e Lara", which shows a priest being hugged by a woman with other actors and actresses smiling goofily in the background. Even though the language barrier of the title gets in the way, there is no getting around the fact that it is a comedy.

The point is that even though I have left the United States, it is comforting to see movies advertise and hear music that is familiar to me. At the same time, it is definitely nice to hear authentic Italian music and see advertisements of Italian films so I feel like I am not relying too much on American entertainment and culture. After all, one of the reasons I am studying abroad is to become better acquainted with the culture, and there is no better way to do that than by listening and viewing Italian culture through films and music.

I think it would be a really interesting experience to walk into the movie theater here and see a movie of which I have no idea is about. By seeing the facial expressions of the characters and seeing what happens from frame to frame, I should get a general feel for what I am watching, but half the fun in watching a movie or listening to a movie in the Italian language is trying to figure out what the musical artist or the actor is saying or doing to discern whether they are feeling angry or sad, etc. Doing so is one of the best learning experiences you can have in a foreign country that helps you to get acquainted with the culture.