Archive for October 2011

La Dolce Vita

I was truly living La Dolce Vita when I was in Italy.

The food, culture, churches, history, people, beaches, and extremely hot temperature were some of the things I enjoyed the most about being in Italy. I am now in Canada, still on Italy’s time literally and metaphorically as I crave siesta and the relaxing way of life I experienced – perhaps the jet lag is also kicking in a little bit. It was my second time in Italy and I feel as if I can call this country my second home. After exploring the South of Italy three years ago, while taking a high school credit course, and visiting the town of Taormina Sicily where my grandmother was from, I was amazed by the authentic Italian traditions and culture I experienced while in Calabria. This year I traveled through the north of Italy and my journey brought me to Rome, where I studied for three weeks. My course was offered through York University – a study of Italy’s past from the Risorgimento until the present day! I went to school from Monday to Friday every day for 3 weeks and then I stayed in Italy for an extra week to visit my Italian friends.

I thought I knew everything about Italy before, but this course opened my eyes to what Italy’s modern past was all about. As my professor would say, “Do not let the prosciutto cover your eyes!” He wanted us to see what Italy was really all about. Walking outside the hotel, I was in the heart of the historical city. Within fifteen minutes, I could reach every well known site in Rome –  I am definitely much better with my directions now as walking the city of Rome comes naturally after three amazing weeks among its ancient streets.

During the extra week I stayed in Italy, I toured Pisa and Florence with my roommate from the course. The two of us each bought a pair of  fashionable Italian style pants and wore them on the same day (we had different colour pants of course) to Pisa. After many failed photo attempts with the Pisa tower, we arrived in Florence and stayed at a

Credit: Lauren Galloway

campsite – quite a different way to travel Europe. We were there for two nights and the view was wonderful overlooking Florence. We explored the city and had yet another cup of gelato! Once our stay in Florence ended, my friend went to Paris and I went to visit some of my friends who live in Italy.

My first stop was Brescia. After exploring the local life of Brescia and its small surrounding cities, I headed to Milano – I saw the beautiful Duomo and took photos on my friend’s Vespa. I even visited Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Milano where many of my friends study and got to see the university life of students in Italy who had exams in July! My journey was only 4 weeks long, but it is a journey I will keep inside my heart and mind forever. I recall each moment with happiness and appreciate all the people I met. I’m already planning to spend more time in Italy in my future.

Credit: Lauren Galloway

I am grateful to be back in Canada and will always call it my home. However, I have made room for Italy to be a part of my life too, both through my studies and through the incorporation of Italian culture in my daily life. Returning from Italy was easier than the previous time I had visited because I prepared myself for the return. This was definitely a “che bello” experience as my Italian friends and I would say!

Lauren M. Galloway

6 Months Later: Reflecting on my exchange

To continue to discover new lands, one must time and time again, leave firm ground. Coming to Queen’s, a place I now consider home, was a milestone in a period of personal, academic and professional growth. Living and working abroad, however, was the braver decision. Following a strong impulse for adventure, looking to learn in new and exciting ways required more strength, passion and determination than any decision previously taken. However, not for a moment did I regret my choice, because for some of us, the journey in itself is home. I don’t want to tell you about how this was my first time abroad, nor praise it for having changed my outlook on the world. I want to tell you about how my experience in Singapore consolidated a relentless dedication to explore faraway places and cultures.

If you’re anything like me, you want to collect moments as opposed to things. You want to observe dynamics changing, patterns of behaviour and last but not least, you want to observe yourself – in different contexts and spaces, allow yourself to be surprised in ways you didn’t think are possible. The lens which colours your life on exchange is responsible for a distinct worldview. The patience of someone who is not, for once, rushing to get from class to club meeting to volunteering to work, complemented by curiosity, uncovers a new student.  A student of people, of stories and languages. It is with those eyes that every time I arrive back to where I started, I know the place for the very first time.

Living and studying abroad – which I was so incredibly lucky to be able to do in Singapore, and working at the Asia Research Institute, were by far one of the more challenging and humbling experiences of my life. They taught me to observe before acting, and double-check my instincts. As a history and political science student in Singapore, categorized to be a soft-authoritarian state, I was soon categorized to be a “know-all Westerner, critical of state planning and of tough-on-crime governmental attitude”.  There were tutorials in which I was the only person to openly criticize a state policy. I never thought there can be social repercussions to the critical thinking skills I valued so much. Sometimes, it was easier to be critical than constructive. I had unknowingly become a stereotype. Along the way however, I realized how many more ways of learning are open to us and how to change my frame of reference when I’m asked to analyse information. I began to be able to carry my point across without perpetuating the myths I was so sceptical of myself. Stepping outside of the boxes created for us and by us, I found a flexible mindset, willing to adapt rather than convince, willing to listen rather than talk. I hope that attitude will never change.