What was your favorite part of this week?Going out and seeing Villa Borghese. The overlooks there are extremely pretty and the art littered around the park keeps the walk interesting and all the more special to see.

What was the most difficult or challenging part of this week?With M gone the homesickness has become very large and the regular tasks that I do here seem to feel very lonely. Without having someone that can understand fully what I’m attempting to say it’s hard to feel as if I’m meant to be here. The language barrier was something that I was afraid of from the start and has turned into something that’s a real struggle.

Tell us about a “wow” moment you had this week.My host mom has been wanting to learn a lot about american cooking so I’ve been teaching her recipes of things we make at home. It’s usually just desserts and an occasional side dish like potato salad.

Tell us about your week!This week has been an attempt at being in a completely different country solely on my own. It’s difficult transitioning from having a constant english speaking companion with you everyday for two weeks to having no one. I do enjoy when my host family invites some of their friends over because it gives me something extra to do with my time here, but it also isolates me in a way I can’t help but feel. Italian is a fast moving language as is, but when you don’t understand a single word of it common things such as dinners with friends can make me feel like I’m in a body that isn’t completely mine. It’s being overlooked and laughing at things I don’t really understand. 

My host family has been extremely accommodating and understanding with my wants here and doesn’t push me too hard to do anything or to go anywhere. Without having someone to go places with they have taken it upon themselves to show me what there is to see outside of Rome. 

Villa Borghese is a very beautiful place and has somehow encompassed the rivaling ideals of serenity and running children. The old statues littered around the place are old and breaking, but very much a part of the experience. Plus, a water run clock that looks like it’s been painted into a space of living things. Everywhere you go here you can find something to look at that makes you feel other. In the best way possible. It’s amazing, but it doesn’t really lessen the lonely.