During February half term we took 30 students from both 1st and 2nd year to Rome, for 4 days/3 nights.
During the trip we visited the Colosseum and Roman forum on the Palatine and of course, the Vatican, with an opportunity to visit the Sistine chapel.
We also visited famous sites such as the Trevi Fountain and the Museum of the Ara Pacis.
Then, on the final day, we took a coach to visit Ostia and see the ruins of a full Roman town and port which includes some amazing remains and particular mosaic artworks.
Although the days were jam packed with a lot of walking and visits around Rome, on the evenings students had free time to explore Rome in small groups and find places to shop and eat and experience life in a major European city.
After their return we asked the students for their thoughts. Here are just a few of the comments that were made:
We asked “what was your favourite thing about the visit to Rome?”
Learning their culture, seeing how Ancient Rome has been incorporated into modern day Rome and their appreciation for their history.
I loved walking around all the historical sites seeing the Colosseum and exploring Augustus Mausoleum also taking pictures of everything also the Vatican was a great place to see. Exploring Italy in our free time with my friends eating the food and shopping around.
My favourite part of the visit was seeing the architecture in person. The sheer scale of many buildings and statues enhances their visual impact – they appear very different to how they look in photographs.
My favourite thing about the Rome visit was the opportunity to experience a different culture and explore the city.
The difference in everything, I adored getting to enjoy new experiences.
The Vatican city / The architecture of the city / Colosseum / Trevi Fountain or Connor Varley / statue of Marcus Agrippa.
And, “what do you think was the most useful thing about the visit to Rome?”
Being able to experience visiting such culturally significant buildings relevant to the course.
First foreign visit so opened my eyes to life and sights outside of England.
Being able to see real life versions of some of our set sources and being able to use what we saw to compare Ancient Rome to modern Rome.
Seeing the Ara Pacus and the Augustus Premia Porta as they both are a part of our case study for Imperial Image.
Looking at all the statues that aren’t in the prescribed sources.
Actually seeing the things we study in real life makes them seem much more real. Plus there’s more information that is relevant to the course around Rome.
Seeing all the cites we learn about, seeing them in real life and seeing what material they were build out of was useful towards my studies understanding everything better.
The places we went to, the forum was possibly the most informative.
Actually seeing some of sources we look at and being able to see them in person.
The most useful thing about the trip to Rome was visiting some of the sources we study as it helps develop a deeper understanding.
The visit helped to put certain statues and buildings into some form of context, helping to consolidate what we have learnt in the subject.
Walking around palatine hill, looking at the sources we study in lesson.
Lots of additional info about the Ara Pacis and the forums that’s harder to find online.
I got to see lots of the things we’re studying in classics.
It made me realise how close everything was like the forum bit.
Finally, “what would you say to any students who want to take part in the visit in the future?”
It’s an amazing opportunity, and definitely a life changing experience.
Definitely go; it’s an opportunity to not only expand your grasp of the classics subject with actual hands on exploration, but also to socialise and connect with classmates and teachers alike.
The food is amazing, bring sunglasses and take loads of pictures cause they’re worth it.
Go and have fun exploring the sites you will visit, and overall it was the best experience you get to take part in 🙂
Also there’s an aloe vera drink that’s really nice should definitely try that.
Absolutely recommend, was a great experience.
Do the trip it is an exciting experience and you can learn a lot from this seeing all the sites you learn about. Also you get to explore Rome – it’s a good experience for anyone in classics and you get to bond creating friendships.
Do it. You only live once, it’s a good experience, and a nice trip.
That it was amazing and really useful for the topic and I would wholeheartedly recommend it and would go again in the future.
It is a great experience that I would recommend to everyone who studies Classics.
It’s definitely worth going simply because Rome is a beautiful city.
Students who take classics should definitely go on the trip! Seeing pictures is way different from seeing the things we talk about in real life.
It can be stressful but the good/funny and or memorable moments make up for it
Prepare for intense days and a lot of working. It’s worth it tho!
Do it but take comfy shoes!
