Duke University Office of Study Abroad

Dear Global Education Office:

I was fortunate enough to spend four weeks in Italy this summer with the Duke in Rome program. It was my first glimpse of Europe-the heart of all the art history I had spent years looking at in textbooks. I discovered my affinity for museums and stood in awe as a small shadow in glorious churches. Most meaningful of all, I had the privilege of getting to know Rome, a truly eternal city. I loved just walking the streets of Rome, sometimes without direction or purpose, and being part of the bustle of a city characterized not only by thousands of years of history, but also the reality of the present as well.

I believe it's the beginning of a many journeys abroad for me. I've never had the opportunity to travel outside the U.S. or my home country before, so Rome will always hold a special place in my heart as being the first. Coming back to Duke, I realize that being able to go abroad, learn history, meet people from all cultures and walks of life, is important to me. My wish now is to be able to travel and continue my journey. It's to this and a desire to become a truly global citizen that I strive for. All this was echoing in my head when I tossed a coin over my shoulder at the Trevi Fountain. I saw a flash of gold over my shoulder, and in an instant, the coin was gone, just a speck among the many others sprinkled across the fountain. So here's to Italy, to coming back again someday, to the Eternal City.

-Joy Liu