Summer 2024 – Italy
This summer, I was blessed to receive the Rudolph Scholarship that funded a study abroad program in Rome, Italy for three weeks. Without this generous donation, I would not have been able to have a life changing experience. It allowed me to try new foods, interact with a new culture, see century old historic sites, and so much more. I made a new group of lifelong friends that I will stay in touch with for the rest of my life.
The extreme generosity of the Rudolph family gave me more than just monetary help, it gave me the opportunity to open my eyes and change my life by traveling the world all by myself.
While in Rome, I saw hundreds of things that would be worthy to write about. I was in the epicenter of the world at one point in time, and because of that there were things experienced that felt out of this world. With that being said, the most moving part of my trip was most definitely walking into St. Peters at sunrise. My last day in Rome, a few classmates and I watched the sunrise come over the city and then rode bikes down to St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. We were the first ones in line that within the hour became a two hour wait.
After waiting about an hour, we were finally let in to the building and when we walked in, we were the only ones in the entire thing. This building, for those who have not been, is breathtaking with artwork and sculptures from Bernini, Michelangelo, and so many more huge artists. The way the light shined through the windows onto the gold covered statues and tiles was beauty that cannot be described in words.
We then eventually climbed up to the very top of the Basilica and took in the entire view of the Vatican City and Rome behind it. This view could not have been beat. But then it hit me and my classmates that we were looking directly at where massive historical events occurred. Regardless of faith, the apostle Peter was crucified upside down in the center of the Vatican City right next to the massive Obelisk when the Romans were cracking down on the spread of Christianity. That itself was one of hundreds of extremely impactful events throughout history that took place in the exact spot we were standing over a thousand years ago.
Again, I want to extend a huge thank you to the Rudolph Family for funding my study abroad trip, and I would like to let them know that they provided me with the experience of a lifetime. People like them make Wabash, Wabash. No matter where you are in the world, Wabash can and will provide benefit and it starts with families just like them!
