From the Prof

218days until
Math In Rome 2010 Begins!

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Jean

What I really like about this program is that although we are technically “studying abroad,” we didn't have to sacrifice all our spare time staying home and studying hard for a decent grade, we had time to explore. And all the things that we learned in class were so interesting, not to mention that we were able to see the real life applications of what we learned in class during our excursions. For example, we learned about how to construct an oval one day, and the next day we were standing on the top of the Colosseum, being amazed by how ancient Romans can build a perfect oval shape stadium 2000 years ago. I learned so much about geometry, architecture, art history and Roman history in five weeks, and you know what, I still remember most of them even now! If you are looking for a fun way to learn math and history, choose this program for sure!

What’s also great about this program is the professor. Professor Pasquale is very caring and patient. He would buy us gelato, tell us about his favorite gelateria and ristorante, teach us how to play scopa (a super fun Italian card game) and treat us to cappuccino when we would go over to ask him questions about homework. He is also so very knowledgeable that he would be our tour guide when we go to museums and churches and tell us a lot about history and Italian culture when we go on excursions. Being in a big university like UCSD, it’s very hard to build strong relationship with a great professor like Professor Pasquale. This program would be a perfect chance for you to really get to know a professor and even be his friend.

During my time in Rome, there was no such thing as “enough.” I never had enough of gelato, never explored enough around the city, and never heard enough of Italian-accent English. In a word, Rome has so much to offer that I’ll never say that I had enough of Rome.

Going through my journal, I can’t find a single negative word about my Italy experience. All I can find are endless praise and genuine expressions of happiness:

“I love Florence so much that I was seriously thinking about moving there at some point in my life”

“I became part of the city and its breathtaking beauty has for sure became a very important part of my memory”

In my opinion, Rome is the most exciting city in the world. But don’t just take my words for it, go experience it yourself, and you’ll never regret your decision of going!

Jean is a sophomore at UCSD (Warren College) studying applied mathematics. She participated in Math in Rome 09.