Begging of Week 2: Rome Around

As mentioned in my last post, John Cabot houses students at the Gianicolo Residence in Trastevere. The University has two campuses, both of which host classes during the summer. The Garini campus is located a short distance from the apartments, less than a five minute walk. The library and rooftop terraces make this campus, in particular, the perfect location to study! The Tiber campus is about a ten minute walk from the residence and sits parallel to the Tiber River. Along the route to class the streets are lined with coffee shops and small cafes, great for grabbing breakfast and a cappuccino on the way! Rome itself is a very walkable city, and an easy commute to class can be done on foot.

Even when public transportation is an option, I would suggest walking if the distance is reasonable. My opinion on this is twofold. To start, walking is a great way to learn your way around the city. Rome is a very ancient city, and you can find historic ruins around any corner. Walking allows you to stop and look, and to learn your surroundings in a more personal way. Additionally, inner-city public transit in Rome can be unreliable, overpopulated and at many times uncomfortable (especially for foreigners). Pick pocketing is common on the bus, and because this is the city’s main mode of public transportation, buses are very crowded. That said, the bus route encompasses a large amount of the city and is good for long-distance commuting. You can also use the metro. The bus and metro run 24/7. This is helpful in getting to and from the train station, Termini, if you are taking a train to another city on a weekend trip.