Goodbye Bernardi
Hello,
Sadly this blog marks the end of my time here at the Bernardi Campus, however, like several of the other students from this Rome semester, I am going to be spending some extra time traveling Europe and invite you to continue following my posts. Regarding our last days together I should really start by talking about finals, since it is what consumed everyone's last days. As a biochemistry and Catholic Studies double major my science friends assured me that this semester would be a breeze without science courses and labs. Quite to the contrary, I have been pleasantly surprised by the rigor and depth of material which I have learned during the semester, which became apparent as I began studying for my oral exams. The format for such oral exams seemed to be universal and consisted of teachers giving you a sheet of paper with the topics which had been discussed during the semester and asking you to be prepared to speak about any such topic. The task, I must admit, was quite daunting, but by no means impossible and during the exams the teachers were helpful in aiding you to demonstrate your grasp of the material through questions.
Finishing out last exams on Wednesday afternoon and the group flight home leaving Friday morning at 3:30 a.m., our final hours together were short, but sweet. Personally, and I would venture to say for the entire group, our final night together was yet another confirmation of how we have grown as a community. Briefly, the evening consisted of dinner out, 35 carbonara at Ciacio e Pepe (yes it’s that good), singing together at Piazza del Popolo, and a final Mass at 2 a.m. Regarding the Mass, I can’t help but chuckle because only at the Bernardi Campus would it be so appropriate to finish out time together with the Mass, even at 2 in the morning!
Singing together was really a beautiful way to stay together, singing songs mostly in English, a few in Italian, ranging from current hits, praise and worship, and of course American Pie in it’s entirety. Goodbyes of course are never easy, especially with those students who weren’t from St Thomas who I won’t bump into walking between north and south campus. And we all had to say goodbye to Bernardi.
Looking back on my time and experiences, this has been a semester full of growth through challenges both academically and spiritually. What strikes me most about this semester, and the Catholic studies Rome program specifically, was how it was not a pause or break from my studies, not even in my pursuit of a medical career. Instead, what I’ve learned here, through encyclicals such as Humanae Vitae and Veritatis Splendor or my Fundamental Moral Theology class taught by the Papal theologian, will be an integral part of my understanding of medicine and the human person. This semester has brilliantly integrated a study abroad, focusing those elements such as theology and art history which only Rome could offer, with my course of study in biochemistry. Furthermore, it has truly been a unique opportunity to live within a community of faith in the pursuit of truth and I can’t wait to continue to realize the discoveries which I have made during this time abroad, and to share my experience with family and friends. Closing my time here at Bernardi I’d like to open up my email, available through the Catholic Studies Department, to any future Bernardi students. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions regarding Rome. God bless tutti!
Jim
