SDC Essay – Italy Mare Splendente
Zachary Cotterman
Laramie, WY
Italy Mare Splendente 2024
As was the case with many of my peers, I, too, had submerged myself in the daily grind as a high school junior. There was nothing different between day and day; every day was composed of the same things, and there was just about no room for elation or discovery. It felt like a routine in a cage: wake up, go to school, attend classes, socialize minimally, return home to a screen, and scroll through mindlessly, consuming content that added little to my life. My soul wanted some change, a way of getting myself out of this mechanical existence I had obligingly huddled into. Then, out of the blue, my guidance counselor shared an opportunity of a lifetime – a chance to go on a summer trip to Italy. The thoughts of Roman, Naples, Matera, Puglia, and Reggio Calabrian visits sparked something inside of me, and I went for it. After applying and being interviewed, Student Diplomacy Corps offered me a scholarship to participate in their program exploring southern Italy’s history, art and culture.
While I was getting ready, the skepticism began to haunt me: “Was I really ready for this?” However, all such encouragements from my family made me go ahead. My mother made it clear that this journey might be a very life changing experience. Thus, with a renovated sense of purpose, I boarded the plane to New York City’s JFK airport to meet my groupmates and leader, excited yet apprehensive about what awaited me.
The wonder wrapped me inside its wings the moment I stepped into Rome. The whole city seemed buzzing with energy, and everything was so different from my grey past. I walked along the cobblestone streets, my senses ignited by the smell of freshly cooked pasta and the sound of discourses heard spilling from local trattorias. It was an opportunity to be astonished by the minute detail in Roman architecture by visiting the Colosseum and St. Peter’s Basilica. I stepped into a painting, no longer an observer but an actor in this bright, colored tapestry.
From there, we went to Naples: a city full of life, flavor and history. The pizza was much different and artisanal, every bite an expression of the regional culture. Sharing meals with locals, I held conversations that bridged cultural gaps. I learned about their lives, dreams, and the warmth of their community. This was really where I first began to find an appreciation for the threads that join humanity beneath the differences in heritage.
On to Matera in the rocky Basilicata region. This is the city with a long deeply rooted history in cave living, which brought me through the dimension of time. History always forms a part of our identities, a fact that I realized when I wandered the narrow alleys of the city and was astonished with the life of resilience its dwellers had shown. With the pride of heritage, Matera welcomed us joyfully. They were stories of beautiful hope and perseverance. A strong reminder that we are all products of our environment, yet we have the power to mold our own stories.
This region took my breath away with its landscapes and towns. I swam in the tranquility of the Adriatic Sea, where the waters were crystal clear, shimmering in the sun. The unusual Trulli houses of Alberobello reminded me of a fairytale. Every day was a new chapter full of experience that was powerful enough to fill my soul with gladness and appreciation.
Lastly, in Reggio Calabria, where I lived with my wonderful host family, I felt really attached to the citizens. Their love for life was contagious, and soon I found myself uncharacteristically dancing and laughing through the streets with my hosts and groupmates. And nobody judged me. It is here that the meaning of living in the moment and cherishing the beauty of surroundings came to be learned. No longer was I a visitor; now I had become part of this colorful community, even if for a little while.
The many experiences of this journey also included challenges that were be beyond my comfort zone. Whether it was maneuvering through the busy crowded markets or trying to converse in Italian; every experience taught me a lesson in perseverance. I have learned not to need to know everything first but, instead, to bring an open heart and mind into any given circumstance. Sharing these stories, along with others, has shown me that we are more alike than different, yearning for connection and understanding in a world that feels divided.
This SDC Italian journey changed me. It woke my senses, opened my heart to the richness of life other than that ordinary. I came back home with not only souvenirs but also with a whole different set of perspectives. I learned that greatness must be pursued-that barriers must be tested, and sometimes surmounted. Every meeting, every new friendship, every meal, and every breathtaking view repeated the mantra that life is to be lived to its fullest, with vigor and wonder.
Eventually, I learned that we’re all on a journey to be happy and through that journey comes mutual understandings. This process has taught me to appreciate experiences over routine in search of connections with people. I now embrace the world with open eyes, ready to discover the beauty lying just beyond the ordinary. I carry the lessons of Italy with me as I forge onward, committed to living a life that is full of adventure and purpose.
My group visiting the Trulli Houses of Alberobello in Puglia, Italy