This past May, I had the opportunity of a lifetime when I went on the Italy trip with Geneva College’s humanities program. We spent the majority of our time in Rome, in addition to visiting Florence, Venice, and other small towns. The experience began in the spring semester taking Humanities 301 where we explored Italian history, architecture, and culture. Then a few days after the semester ended, we packed up and left to go see our month’s worth of studies in person. In each new city we stayed in, Dr. Cole, our program leader, led us on a tour of the area, pointing out metro stops, grocery stores, and even recommended places to eat. Dr. Cole also provided a detailed itinerary for us to follow, outlining where we were going that day, when we needed to be there, and what we should bring with us.
A typical day would start with getting breakfast in the hotel, having group devotions, and then heading out to our destination for the day via bus or underground metro (or water taxi when in Venice!). We visited a variety of locations, from ancient historical sites like the Roman Forum to some of the most famous art galleries in the world, as well as just about every church we passed. One of my favorite aspects of the trip was the fact that we got to serve as tour guides at these spots. During the semester, we all were tasked with researching 2-3 architectural sites or pieces of artwork which would become the foundation for our presentation on those topics when we actually saw them. It felt much more engaging to learn about these areas by walking through them rather than hearing about them from a textbook or lecture.
Additionally, the trip provided a good balance of structure and free time to explore. We had most evenings free to wander the city as well as a weekend to travel within Italy and explore areas outside the main cities. I traveled with Dr. Cole and a few other students to Castel Gandolfo where we were able to tour the papal retreat palace. I appreciated these times for enabling me to be fully engaged in the culture around me, as well as making new friends and becoming closer with the other students on the trip.
Reflecting back on the trip, I learned a lot about the history of Christianity, and how it influenced and was influenced by the history and culture of ancient Rome. We carried journals with us and were occasionally instructed to write or sketch our reflections of what we saw and learned about. One particularly moving moment came from visiting Santo Stefano Rotando, named for the first Christian martyr, St. Stephen, and reflecting on what early Christians did for the faith and the passion in which they believed.
For any student considering going on a trip like this, I would absolutely recommend it, even if you’re not sure. One of the lessons I learned during my time abroad is that the best things often happen when you don’t have all the answers. Our most exciting moments came when we put away Google Maps and let ourselves get lost in the magic of the Eternal City.
Upcoming International Student Trips through Geneva College
- Experience Brazil with Geneva College Professors (March 2026)
- Tour Greece with Geneva College Professors (May 2026)
By Henry Trevisan ‘27
Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.
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