Reid P. and Jacob R.: Colosseum

To top off a great trip we concluded with a visit to the Colosseum, a monument known for its incredible battles and amazing gladiators. There we saw one of the greatest battlegrounds ever, though now it is a bit rundown and pieces were missing, including a whole level. However it was still amazing to see, and made you feel like you were part of it when it was in its glory. It was just so breathtaking and amazing - it left me speechless.

Tom H.: The Forum

The Roman Forum was where all the important things in Ancient Rome happened. Ancient Rome is situated on 7 hills, each of which wanted to be the most important, so they eventually decided to put it in the valley in the middle.

One important thing in the Roman Forum was the senatorial office.This is where all the senators met to confer. It is now used as the office for the mayor of Rome.

The Forum was also used for parades that honored battles they had won. Memorable monuments of parades include things like the arch of Titus.

Ben B.: Arch of Titus

The Arch of Titus is a monument celebrating the Roman victory of Judea. The right side of the arch shows a group of Roman soldiers carrying the Menorah from the second temple of Jerusalem. The menorah only has 7 branches which represent each day of creation. After the menorah was brought back to Rome it stayed there for many years until the Byzantine army conquered Rome and took it to Constantinople.

The other side of the arch portrays the Roman emperor with his royal chariot carried by four horses being paraded in Rome and behind him is the Goddess of Victory, Nike. It portrays the Roman power and control over the Mediterranean.

James Z. & Palmer H.: Villa Borghese

Today at the park we had a four-person bike experience with James, Noah, Palmer and Ms. Milner who had to trade bikes with our guide Michael because her legs were too short. While at the park, we took the bikes off the main road and went on some bumpy hills. After biking, we went to a little arcade where we got to do bumper cars. After the bumper cars, we went to the park and played on the playground and had some refreshing drinks to fill us up before dinner. It made us feel so close to our peers because everything we got to do, we did together.

Sam R.: Italian Lunch

Today at lunch, we got to experience Italian cuisine for the last time. Many of us went to get pizza and gelato. Some people chose pasta, others chose meat or fish, and it was nice to have the opportunity to choose something we liked. The neighborhood in Rome that we went to had many pizza, pasta, and gelato options. It was not a very touristy area and most of the people eating in the restaurant were locals which was really cool.

Raya H.: Jewish Insights

On this trip we visited many historic Jewish memorials, monuments, and saw memorials that told stories reinforcing what we have learned in our classes at school. The places we visited had significance to everyone as a whole and everyone as an individual.

There was something about seeing these places that made it even more insightful than just seeing pictures of it on a screen. For example the Jewish synagogues were very different from the ones in Chicago or even in the United States, they were older and had a more sophisticated design. Not only that but most synagogues in Italy have separate spaces for men and women, blocking them off by a short wall or fence while the men are normally in the main sanctuary closest to the Torah. This not only showed us the different ways Jews used to pray but it made us all appreciate that all men and women are all allowed to pray in the same room today.

Another example of this is in the Jewish Ghettos, where we got to not only explore but see how Jews used to live long before our existence. This was very special because the Jews we know today do not live in small and close spaces segregated from everyone else. The ghetto taught us to be especially grateful that now we are allowed to share our Jewish identity and we don’t have to keep it locked up in a small little segregated place like a ghetto.

The ghetto showed us the true meaning of being Jewish and that it isn’t about the place you live in, but it’s about holding on to your beliefs and the people you're with.

Eloise E.: Final Thoughts

This trip has been awesome. The last day of the trip was particularly spectacular. First, seeing the Roman Forum and the Arch of Titus was really interesting and I loved seeing all of the ancient history right in front of my face. After that, we walked to the Colosseum which was amazing.

I have always wanted to see what it was going to be like and it exceeded expectations. I also loved imagining what it would be like to be sitting in the Colosseum watching gladiators fight each other. It was really cool learning all of the stuff in person while actually getting to view the sites we were learning about. After that we went to lunch which was very good. After lunch we went to Villa Borghese Park, split into groups, and biked through the park, which was definitely a highlight of the trip because we just got to cruise around. When we were done biking, we got to hang out on the playground and let out some energy and have fun.

Next we went to dinner which was delicious. Overall, I thought the trip was amazing. I loved getting to see Italian culture and getting to see all these ancient ruins, which was crazy amazing. The food was also awesome and I can safely say Italian food is better in Italy. But most of all, my favorite thing was meeting new people from different places and getting to talk to them about their daily life. I will miss Italy and I hope to come back here sometime.