An epiphany moment for me was being in the Etruscan tombs and for the first time thinking through what is an ethical way to deal with the dead. In the moment analyzing the tombs together and comparing it to the Hardman cemetery, I started to question how I honor the dead.
I felt an imperative urge, after this trip, to read more classics and think more over what is going on in the society that I’m experiencing. This trip has significantly changed my view of what a journey should look like in contrast to general traveling. I just realized how speechless and incapable of expressing myself…
It’s going to be so difficult to say goodbye to our little community – because that’s what we are. We’ve bonded over sleep deprivation and long bus trips, plagues and mistranslations, getting lost together. Only we are the ones who will ever understand the transformations that happened here.
I can truthfully say that I got everything that I wanted – and more. The moment I stepped out of the terminal I felt different. I felt more alive. This was only elevated by spending the entire first day not resting, but jumping right into the culture by taking a walking tour of Rome.
I believe my thinking changed or was seriously questioned after… the “Christ Stopped at Eboli” lecture. It made me rethink my entire life and why I wanted to do what I think I want to do. I had to step outside and look over the city of Matera and at all the people that were…
Throughout the journey, I was able to learn about the culture and society of this country with an incredible level of depth because we truly immersed ourselves. We traveled as Italians do – by foot and by public buses – so as to experience life intimately as they do. We went to places that weren’t…
The beauty of human nature has been so evident on this program, as we vulnerably entered another country and another realm of thinking and discussing. The importance of friendships, community, and meaning has become beautifully evident on this pilgrimage.
Throughout these six weeks, my experiences have impacted the way I view my faith. I have found comfort, stability and beauty in my beliefs. While this wasn’t a religious program, I found myself being more reflective and able to engage with the sites around me. I see my struggle as loss of an issue and…
I experienced something I have never experienced in my life. Yes, I went to many cities and sites and saw lots of art and architecture and read different things. But all of these came together in a way that helped me SEE. I saw man’s search for order in chaos, his incorporation of beauty and…
I’ve learned that success isn’t something I can aim for, rather setting goals and staying true to who I am will lead me to the success. I have put a lot more time in reflecting and speaking to myself in silence. This has allowed me to figure myself out and what I truly want from life.
The TRACE program gave me time, opportunity, and knowledge to orient myself. Without those 6 weeks, I don’t think I’d be working as passionately as I am in the field I love.
This trip has pushed me to think longer and deeper and to share my thoughts with people as opposed to the notes app in my phone. I remember standing on a path overlooking a cliff in San Gimignano for several minutes in silence. Standing there with a picturesque view and no other distractions I dug…
Throughout my grad program, I’ve been thinking more and more about wanting to teach ethics to medical and other health students. Seeing my classmates engaged in ethical discussions has solidified this professional goal.
Italy Speaks 