Aside from all the fun and excursions, you also obtain a great knowledge of structural and architectural concepts and analysis. This program is very lucky to have Professor Pasquale to lead it. He really knows his stuff and cares for your education. I highly recommend all the engineers out there to look into this program, as it will offer you an opportunity of a lifetime to experience first hand all the amazing sites in Rome. Sure, I had my doubts. The program’s tuition is how much I would have to pay for my three years of college, and now spending it all for five weeks, the load of paperwork also put some stress on me, going through the whole ordeal of having to get a visa was also a hassle, and all in the meantime of having to wait for the summer to start. But believe it or not I really think I made the right decision. The Colosseum really opened my eyes to the gladiator days, the free Pantheon is one of the few places in Rome where you can just sit down and enjoy the nice breeze coming in from the rotunda, I can seriously go on forever!

    Rome is a very hot place, humid as well. If you go, please pack lightly and bring a lot of summer clothes. You will come to appreciate the hot weather, trust me, it was what kept me awake most of the time! I really enjoyed the night life there. Rome is known as the Eternal City for a reason; it never sleeps! My typical weekend was very productive. I would learn up my area, do some grocery shopping, and study. Weekends are yours to have, you can do anything you want. I would suggest you guys to plan something out. For instance, some of my classmates went to Venice.

    What made Rome so special to me was the fact that I got to experience so many beautiful and sight-wondering places. I bought my running shoes and initially intended to run once in a while so I would not get fat. To my surprise I found myself running at least once a day! Every day I would wake up at 7 in the morning and purposely get myself lost so I could force myself to wander around and find my way back. I know my area within a five miles radius to the back of my head. I recalled the most memorable event in Rome was when I raced with an Italian biker to the Colosseum, about 300 meters. We did not look at each other, I saw him riding his bike and approach next to him. He knew something was up and pedaled his bike faster. That was when I figured it was on! I could have sworn he was going roughly about 30 mph and I was barely catching up with him. I felt magnificent, like a gladiator fighting for his life. It wasn’t until we got to the stadium that we looked at each other for the first time and gave each other a thumbs-up. It was an unforgettable event in my life; I did something I do best in Rome, and I did it with style. I won the race by the way. ^_^

Bottom line: expensive program, excellent professor, good education, lifelong friends, priceless experience.