Study Abroad Blog
Roman Entertainment: Italy Meets America
Jason Raiche
Issue date: 2/8/10 Section: Features
It is hard to fathom, but I have been in Rome, one of the greatest cities in the world, for three weeks already. It seems like I just arrived yesterday. At first it was difficult to adjust to the fact that I am no longer in my comfort zone speaking my native tongue; instead, I comprise a minority of American students, with the extent of my Italian vocabulary being "Ciao" and "Grazie."
Now that I have settled in, and am adjusting to "La Dolce Vita" (whilst trying to improve my verbal Italian skills to avoid looking like an ignorant American), I am starting to notice many components of how Italians live day after day. Perhaps the most notable observation - the Italians have a reputation for being crazy drivers. For instance, when the light turns green for pedestrians to walk across the street (take that for what it's worth) cars still have the right of way somehow. And the tiny cobble stone streets that create picturesque photos? They sure amplify the beauty of Rome's narrow streets, but wear comfortable shoes since they will leave your feet (and back) sore the next day.
There is, however, one major similarity I have unearthed between Rome (and Italy, for that matter) and America, which kind of serves as a comfort when I miss home. Italians enjoy the same entertainment media as we do in America, specifically films and music. I cannot count how many days I walk down a side street to hear one of Lady Gaga's many famous tunes or see an advertisement for the films "Up in the Air", "An Education", "Alvin and the Chipmunks 2", "Invictus" or "Avatar". In this aspect, Italians enjoy the same things that we do, and I like it. Why is that? Well, I already mentioned that it reminds me of home when I miss it, but it also demonstrates the importance of American pop culture in Italy. Surely Italians make their own films and listen to their own musical creations (some which may surpass American films and music, I'm sure), but the reliance on American entertainment shows how powerful and universal American entertainment and pop culture truly is.
Now that I have settled in, and am adjusting to "La Dolce Vita" (whilst trying to improve my verbal Italian skills to avoid looking like an ignorant American), I am starting to notice many components of how Italians live day after day. Perhaps the most notable observation - the Italians have a reputation for being crazy drivers. For instance, when the light turns green for pedestrians to walk across the street (take that for what it's worth) cars still have the right of way somehow. And the tiny cobble stone streets that create picturesque photos? They sure amplify the beauty of Rome's narrow streets, but wear comfortable shoes since they will leave your feet (and back) sore the next day.
There is, however, one major similarity I have unearthed between Rome (and Italy, for that matter) and America, which kind of serves as a comfort when I miss home. Italians enjoy the same entertainment media as we do in America, specifically films and music. I cannot count how many days I walk down a side street to hear one of Lady Gaga's many famous tunes or see an advertisement for the films "Up in the Air", "An Education", "Alvin and the Chipmunks 2", "Invictus" or "Avatar". In this aspect, Italians enjoy the same things that we do, and I like it. Why is that? Well, I already mentioned that it reminds me of home when I miss it, but it also demonstrates the importance of American pop culture in Italy. Surely Italians make their own films and listen to their own musical creations (some which may surpass American films and music, I'm sure), but the reliance on American entertainment shows how powerful and universal American entertainment and pop culture truly is.
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