Written by Ella Ramchand (Boston College), Student Correspondent for CET Florence, Fall 2025
Discovering Rome with CET
Now that I’m officially one month into my study abroad in CET Florence, I can easily say that one of the highlights of my semester has been our cohort’s trip to Rome. Home to the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the seat of the Catholic Church, Rome had always been at the top of my travel bucket list—I just didn’t know when or how I would make it there. So I was definitely relieved to learn in August, during our pre-departure orientation, that CET had planned an overnight, weekend-long trip for my classmates and I to discover and explore Rome and Vatican City in October!
Walking Tour of Rome
Bright and early Friday morning, we arrived in Rome after a quick hour and a half train ride. Our first item on the day’s agenda was a brisk walking tour of the city. Our tour guide expertly led us through the crowded, winding streets while explaining much of Rome’s extensive history, from ancient times to the modern era. In just two hours, we saw more than I ever could have imagined or accomplished on my own.
From Piazza Navone to Piazza di Spagna, we hit several of the main squares before reaching the Trevi Fountain, where we tossed coins into the water for good luck! We were also able to see the exterior of the Pantheon, which was a highlight for many of my classmates and I after learning about its history in our CET Renaissance Art and Architecture class.
Visiting Rome’s Iconic Landmarks
After a brief stop for a delicious pizza lunch, we continued our walking tour, this time heading to the iconic Colosseum. I was instantly struck by its colossal size and grandeur, and it was amazing to learn about its history and see the inside of a millennium-old structure. Afterward, we had free time to explore the Roman Forum on our own, which was just a few yards away from the Colosseum, and immerse ourselves further in the lives and times of the Ancient Romans.
Although our tour was over and the rest of the afternoon was free time, my CET friends and I were still excited to explore, and we went back to the Pantheon to do a guided tour of the interior on our own. I then met up with a friend from home for a quick aperitivo before meeting the rest of CET at the restaurant Osteria Vicolo 9, where we indulged in a tasty, traditional Roman dinner, consisting of a variety of appetizers, pasta types, and a tiramisu dessert!
Vatican City
The following day, we reconvened at the hotel to take a bus to Vatican City, the home of the Pope and some of the most beautiful artworks in the world. The morning was nothing short of incredible—walking into the main plaza, my classmates and I couldn’t believe our eyes when we saw Pope Leo conducting Mass outdoors in honor of the Feast of Saint Francis! This was entirely unplanned and unexpected, but hands-down one of the most amazing experiences I have had while abroad.
Following Mass, we ventured inside St. Peter’s Basilica, which was the most stunning cathedral I have ever seen in my life. Its history and architecture were awe-inspiring, and as an art history major, I certainly had a field day admiring Michelangelo’s Pieta and the sacred Holy Doors, which are opened only during the Catholic Jubilee, which occurs only once every twenty-five years! Afterward, my classmates and I went to Galleria Borghese to admire some more Roman art, before heading home on the train.
This CET-sponsored trip to Rome was a highlight of my study abroad experience, and I am looking forward to continuing to explore Italy and Italian culture further!