From the Prof

218days until
Math In Rome 2010 Begins!

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Brynn

 
           Studying abroad was something that always sounded fun to me, but I never thought about too hard, since as a math major there aren’t too many options. On top of that, the idea of being abroad for 4 months to 1 year always scared me a little. So when I got an email about Mathematical Beauty in Rome, it sounded too good to be true. It was in the summer, it was the perfect amount of time, and it was focused on something that I love, math! I knew I had to apply and that I would regret it if I didn’t decide to go. Having gone, I am so glad that I decided to do it. If I had the opportunity to do it again, I would in a heartbeat!
            The five weeks we were there were filled to the brim with some of the most amazing experiences, ones that I could never get if I were to simply go to Italy on vacation. One of my favorite memories is studying the Pantheon, and using a trick with measuring tape to estimate it’s dimensions. We probably looked very funny to all of the shop keepers and tourists as we held measuring tape between our eyes and stretched it out to our arms length! I will also never forget studying the geometry behind places like Vatican City and the Colosseum and then seeing them in person!  It wasn’t long before I learned to see every building and design through a geometrical perspective, which made such a lasting impression.
            I could go on forever about all of the amazing places we had the opportunity to see and to study, but what also made the trip complete was that we had plenty of our own time to really explore all the beauty, and see for ourselves what it is like to live in Rome. We lived in real apartments, shopped for groceries, cooked meals, and traveled the city and country via bus, tram and train. I even got to go to Catholic Mass on Sundays at the most beautiful churches, including San Marco in Venice and even the Pantheon! Almost everybody in Italy is friendly, and they really love it if you can speak a little Italian! I knew close to nothing when I arrived, but with the help of some language classes we had at the university, we were able to say hi to our neighbors and order plenty of gelato, espresso, croissants and pizza!
            Also, being abroad made me more adventerous.  A bunch of people in our group even had time for a weekend trip to Pompeii and Sorrento in Naples, where we got to rent boats to ride to the Island of Capri and swim in grottos! This is definitely something I would recommend to all who go. I made such good friends within the program, and together we even made Italian friends that we got to play a couple soccer games with!  Not to mention we got to go see AS Roma play at “Stadio Olimpico” for only five euros! It’s not hard to have fun in Rome, especially having the freedom to make the most of your time. 
            Overall, the experience was one that I would not trade for anything. I fell in love with Rome and all of its beauty.  Professor Pasquale was able to teach us the mathematical origins of this beauty, as well as the rich history and culture behind it. What really made the difference was how much our professor cared to make this trip educational, but also meaningful and fun.  This is such a unique experience that I feel so honored to have been a part of it.  I would recommend this seminar to anybody who is at all interested in math and wants to see Rome for all it is worth, because I don’t believe that many other programs or trips could offer an experience even close to this one!

Brynn is a junior at UCSD (Sixth College) studying mathematics/secondary education. She participated in Math in Rome 09.