From Rome with love: My Erasmus experience

My name is María Julieta Galende. I am 21 years old and from Argentina, currently studying speech therapy at the National University of San Luis. I would like to share with you some of the details of my exchange in Rome. Only some, as the rest cannot be described in words and better if you experience it for yourselves.

Everything started on the 27th of December 2016 when I received an email with the subject: CONGRATULATIONS!

From the moment I received the news that I had been allocated Rome as my destination for Erasmus I knew that the adventure had begun.

My heart was bursting with both expectation and nerves. Just to think that in my hands was the plane ticket, inaugurating the next six months which would go on to surprise me each and every moment in every corner of the Eternal City.

To travel alone so far away from home, to live in a new country, to have classes in a foreign language, meet new people… these were just some of the impending challenges which crossed my mind as my plane touched down in Italy.

I was enrolled at the Sapienza University of Rome from February to July 2017. There I studied the Italian equivalent of my degree.

The classes I attended gave me the opportunity to experience first-hand what it’s like to study at a university in Rome. I was very much welcomed by my classmates who took it upon themselves to make me feel part of the community instantly.

During this time I had the pleasure of living in a university halls of residence run by the María Inmaculada religious congregation. I had the fortune of spending every day of my stay with 50 girls.

This included friends from all over the world; Mexicans, Argentinians, Taiwanese, Spaniards, French, Peruvians and Moroccans. This type of experience broadens your horizons as you are exposed to many diverse cultures, some very different to your own. This was a truly enrichening process as I wanted to learn about each culture.

I made friends which turned into family. Through shared experiences you create such intense bonds which will never break no matter the distance that separates you.

Rome never stops surprising me; with its streets crammed with history, squares with such ancient architecture, water fountains everywhere you look, flower laden balconies, markets, pizza by the slice, fascinated tourists. With its churches, cathedrals, basilicas, each one unique, storing away in its interiors the Catholic church’s’ most precious treasures.

Rome is the best place to have fun and enjoy life. Whether it be taking a bicycle ride, climbing up to catch the city’s best views, pilgrimages, trying pasta from a typical Italian restaurant in the Trastevere neighborhood or going to the cinema or the theatre.

The fact that I visited the country of my great grandparents made my family very proud as they shared the experience as if they were here with me in every place I visited.

“Chi è nato a Roma la ama, ma chi non ci è nato e l'ha incontrata, a volte, come nel mio caso, la ama ancor di più”.

(“Who is born in Rome adores it, sometimes those who are not born there and have found it, as in my case, love it even more", Giovanni Canestri).

The opportunity to live in a foreign country has its drawbacks; at times missing family and friends and giving up certain things. But this is no reason to reject the chance to have one of the best life experiences a young person can possibly dream of and one they will never regret.

I am extremely grateful to the Erasmus programme for opening the door for us young people who have big dreams and helping us achieve them.

Also to God for this beautiful gift which I will always keep in my heart.