Haley Bellis is a junior, class of 2015, Marketing Major with a minor in Italian finishing up her semester abroad with the St. Mary’s Rome Program in Italy. Haley was generous enough to share some details about her adventure in the Eternal City with HCND!
What is your go to study spot?
My favorite spot to study is the St. Mary’s library—more specifically, the desk facing the window of the St. Mary’s library. When I sit there, I feel like I’m back in the Hesburgh Library, which is a nice taste of home. It really helps keep me focused, which is not easy when you’re living in the center of Rome.
Where have you had the best “going out” experience?
My favorite place to go out has been in Barcelona, Spain! Barcelona is a great place to experience nightlife; it seems like people never go to sleep. When I traveled there, my friends and I went out to a massive discoteca with live performers and crazy amounts of people. It was definitely bigger than anything I had experienced in Rome and was a ton of fun!
Favorite place you’ve travelled outside of your particular study abroad city?
My favorite place I’ve been to so far is Paris, France! It’s absolutely beautiful, especially at night, and so many iconic sites are there. Climbing the stairs to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower is the coolest thing I’ve done while in Europe. I also had the most amazing macaroons and crepes while I was there, saw some of my favorite pieces of Degas art in the Musée d’Orsay, and walked through the beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral! I will say though, Munich, Germany is a close second favorite.
What are your three essential travel accessories (e.g. clothes, items)?
I never leave Rome without a box of Special K granola bars. If I’ve learned anything while traveling, it’s that you never know when you’ll be stuck in a situation in which you need a quick pick me up snack—they really keep me going on long days of touring. I also always bring an extra memory card for my camera, because every abroad student’s worst nightmare is having to delete precious pictures of their experiences for more space. Finally, I make sure I pack an umbrella. I can’t even begin to tell you the number of times I’ve been caught in the rain. The weather in some places in Europe can be just as unpredictable as in South Bend!
Where are you looking forward to traveling this semester?
I’ve completed the majority of my traveling with less than three weeks left in Rome, but I was looking forward to traveling to Budapest the most! I just went this past weekend for Thanksgiving break, and can honestly say it was nothing like I was expecting! I saw some breathtaking views and absolutely loved the Christmas markets that were already up for the season. Definitely some of the nicest people I’ve met while abroad were from Hungary.
What is your favorite or most interesting class?
My favorite class is Mythology. Gods and goddesses played such a dominant role in all aspects of Rome’s history, especially in the artwork. I love going to museums, seeing sculptures of different mythological characters, and knowing so much about them! It puts a new perspective on many works of art.
What’s the weirdest thing to have happened to you abroad?
In general, I think the weirdest experience I’ve had while in Europe has been flying Ryan Air. The discount airline flights were something a lot of my older friends had told me about before coming to Italy, but I really didn’t know what I was in for. Between people running and pushing each other over to get on the plane and claim their seats (there aren’t seat assignments of Ryan Air), the bright yellow interior, and the celebratory horns and applause that consumes the plane upon landing, I can definitely say that Ryan Air has been the weirdest experience.
Best food you’ve had – and from where?
I’ve had so many amazing dishes while I’ve been abroad, but my favorite is definitely from Rome. There is a restaurant across the river in an area called Trastevere called Tony’s, and they serve the greatest penne alla vodka pasta I’ve ever had! I eat it at least once a week. But I also can’t live without melon-flavored gelato.
What do you miss most about Notre Dame?
I miss so much about Notre Dame! I miss football game days on campus a lot this semester, especially listening to the band play the fight song all over campus and standing in the student section during the games. I also miss omelets from south dining hall, Lyons hall, and hearing the alma mater.
How do you stay in touch with friends and family in the states?
My parents and I are big users of the app called Viber to make calls! But I’m also constantly on Facebook, Skype, email, and WhatsApp to stay in touch with the rest of my family as well as my friends.
What’s your perfect day in Rome?
On a perfect day, I wake up early and walk right outside of the Albergo del Sole, where I live, to the market in Campo di Fiori. Campo di Fiori is a large open area surrounded primarily by restaurants, but each day until 2:00 in the afternoon vendors set up to sell fresh fruits, vegetables, olive oils, sauces, and pasta! I love to pick up fruit especially, because it tastes a million times better than from the supermarket. I like to walk down the major shopping street, Via del Corso, as it is right in the heart of Rome, and then maybe head to Pascucci Bar near the classroom building for amazing sandwiches and fruit milkshakes (they’re known for them) for lunch! After afternoon classes, my friends and I especially like a restaurant called La Ciambella for dinner, and then we like to head out afterwards to the best gelato place in Rome, Frigidarium. If it’s warm out, my friends and I also enjoy walking to the Pantheon or the Trevi Fountain afterwards, just for fun.
What do you anticipate you will miss the most about study abroad when you have to return home?
I will miss the food a ton! As much as I love the dining hall, it will be impossible to beat all the amazing, fresh food I’ve had this semester. I’ll also miss traveling. My favorite part of the week is on Mondays when all the girls come in for class and we can all sit and talk about where we traveled the past few days. It’s fun to share your own adventures as well as hear about where everyone else went and what they saw, and I’ll miss that excitement.
Do you blog? Could you share the URL for your blog?
Yes! I’ve become a pretty consistent blogger this semester. http://hbellis.wordpress.com/
Thanks, Haley!
XO, HCND