Discover the World: Italy

Hi everyone!

Pope Francis at Vatican City, Italy, February 1, 2017

My name is Melissa Gallardo and I’m a sophomore studying with St. John’s University’s Discover the World: Europe program. With SJU, I have the incredible opportunity to study abroad for 5 weeks in Rome, Seville and Paris for the Spring 2017 semester. I’m currently in Rome, Italy at the SJU campus, which is in the heart of Rome. I’m a 20-minute walk from Vatican City and I’ve already seen Pope Francis at the Papel Audience! 

I’m heading into my 3rd week in Rome and I’m absolutely in love with the city. When I decided to study abroad in 3 countries, I didn’t know what to expect and wanted to go into each country head on. When I arrived in Italy, I had a total culture shock. I could not read a single sign after I got off the plane. In the United States, I’m so used to seeing signs in English and Spanish but in Rome, it was all Italian and I didn’t know how to form a sentence. Luckily for me, I know the basics of Spanish and I’ve been able to pick up Italian phrases and words quickly.

Panini Run, Vatican City, Rome, January 24, 2017

At SJU service-learning is a substantial part of the study abroad program. Right away, I knew I wanted to take up as many hours as I could to help the poor. After my L.O.V.E. Guatemala service trip with MC, I found a passion for service and wanted to continue my journey abroad. In the last three weeks, I’ve been fortunate enough to participate in Panini Runs, similar to Midnight Runs in the U.S., and bring sandwiches and fruit to the homeless that are near Vatican City. I spoke with a homeless French man spoke about his time in Nice before his wife passed away and lost work. He’s been homeless for 8 months and has no family or resources to help sustain his life. Stories like his drive me to help poor and the less fortunate.

Colosseum, Rome, Italy, January 19, 2017 

While studying abroad in 3 countries I'm taking 1-2 courses in each city for 5 weeks each. In Rome, I’m taking Moral Theology and the Marketplace, In Seville I’m taking Introduction to Islam and Monuments of World Architecture and in Paris I’m taking Religions of the World and Economics of Poverty and Income Inequality. As a Religious Studies minor, I’m so excited to take so many religion courses abroad! My Moral Theology and the Marketplace class discusses how Catholic Social Teaching plays a role in economics and in the workforce. What I love most about being a Religious Studies minor is that every course I take is completely different. It’s a whole new topic that I’ve never seen before and I’m always learning something new. I not only do I learn about people’s religious beliefs, I get to learn and experience how religion plays a role in the family, society, government and the international community first hand.

My study abroad experience is blossoming. I am stepping out of my comfort zone and into a world I knew existed, but never thought I would experience. I’m introduced to several new cultures that I would never fully immerse myself into in the U.S. It’s an academic, personal and professional experience that I truly enjoy. My study abroad journey is just beginning and I can’t wait to see what’s next.