So... Why am I going to Italy in the first place?

Well I am in a program at my high school called the Generoso Pope Italian Cultural Studies.

"Italian Cultural Studies is a one-year college level humanities course that Generoso Pope Scholars complete their junior year. The interdisciplinary curriculum combines the study of Italian history, literature, art history, politics, language and film in a unique and rigorous seminar. Students will explore the civilizations, peoples and cultures of Italy and its regions from antiquity to the present. The course is organized in eight units that fall into the following categories: Ancient/Classical, Medieval, Modern Italy, and Immersion Planning. While the basic structure of the course is chronological, content addressing contemporary Italy will be interspersed throughout the year. Regular fieldtrips and cultural programming will complement the lectures and discussions held during class time."

I have completed the one year cultural studies course and now I am going to Italy along with the rest of my class!

Now I can look forward to the 25 page thesis i get to do next year...