Dandelions spreading their seeds in Rome...
The Fall 2026 Rome Study Abroad Program has filled my heart with so much love.
Love for my peers, the city of Rome and the enlightened education I am receiving. To study in an environment that is completely new is so fascinating and stimulating!
From the minute we stepped into the LAX lobby we all immediately fell head over heels for each other as if we had all experienced these moments before… Although the 24 hour travel day was almost unbearable, we all knew we had each other which brought us even closer!
Upon touchdown in Rome the weeks we have spent exploring and photographing the eternal city, studying renaissance art & spending so much time together has been a whirlwind of emotion! Many of us cry by the simplistic beauty of the city; proud of ourselves that we were able to live this incredible experience together. Personally, it was so stimulating to turn every corner in the first days in Rome and see beautifully designed buildings with ancient intricacies on every surface. Followed by the culture shock of how foot-heavy the city is, the endless nightlife and the pride of every Roman that calls this place home...
I have made friends I believe I will have for a lifetime, friends that will be invited to my wedding, hear when I have my first child and friends I will support every step of the way; and the funny part is, we have only known each other for such a short time. However, just living through this experience at the same time, with similar creative endeavors or simply just a successful outlook on life, makes us eternal friends.
My expectations stay small as I am astounded with every footstep I take.
I know that the rest of this experience will follow with unexpected celebrations, studying more artwork, film, photography and exploring Italy! I expect to find myself in random situations and sometimes scary ones… but that’s what makes it wonderful.
I hope to get lost in Paris, find myself asking locals for help in Greece… or maybe floating a little too far out to sea. But all these moments, I will look back in twenty years and see how so much resilience and strength is born. I expect to learn more about my peers lives back home, have vulnerable talks about life and philosophical ways of healing, because I know already our souls are healing just from this experience alone. Genuinely, I don’t think I’ve made a better decision in my life than studying abroad and I will continue to suggest it to everyone I know.
More astounding photos from Italy so far!...
About the writer:
Lucas Brown is 19 years old and studying abroad in Rome this fall. He will will be your beautiful blogger this season!! Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Lucas has always had a fascination with capturing moments through storytelling; if that be, in front or behind a camera, written pieces or artistic endeavors. He strives to envision and produce pieces that entertain and inspire his peers through authentic lenses. Lucas is excited to share the journey with you in Rome and hopefully create something all of you will enjoy :)!
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