This past winter, I had the amazing opportunity to live in Florence, Italy for three weeks through Texas A&M’s Italy Renaissance Winter Faculty-Led program. The program, which ran from December 26, 2023, to January 14, 2024, immersed me in the culture of the Renaissance and was made possible through the Honors Travel Fund. Through group trips to Venice, Rome, Siena, and San Gimignano I was able to gain a deeper understanding of how the Renaissance was influenced by classical philosophy and art. An especially insightful trip to Machiavelli’s Villa in the hills of Tuscany really showed how the Renaissance itself influenced political thought and how Florence itself was an inspiration to its residents. 

The Renaissance is important to me because it is a fantastic representation of how we can modernize Classical philosophy and by altering it to suit our time, a concept that resonates deeply with me. I am also seeking to bridge the gap between Classical knowledge and its applicability in the contemporary world through my studies and individual research. This trip was a comprehensive academic and cultural exposure to the Renaissance, with incredible sights that inspired me to continue in my studies. The trip to Rome was especially meaningful. Seeing the Colosseum and the Roman Forum made all of the hours I spent reading somewhat tedious Latin all worth it. Most of all, I got to see the Sanctuary of the Vesta. The Sanctuary was the highlight of the whole trip for me, as I had spent the previous semester researching the cult of the Vestal Virgins as part of my Classical Research requirement. The project was incredibly difficult, but it made seeing those ruins so much more gratifying than I thought possible. Once again, it was a testament to the fact that history is always relevant.

In connection with my long-term goals, this travel opportunity was a significant stepping stone. It aligned perfectly with my overarching goal of pursuing a career in Classics and making it relevant in the modern world. The Renaissance era serves as a beacon of inspiration for me, as it symbolizes a time when classical knowledge was reinterpreted and adapted to the contemporary context. My interest in the Renaissance reflects my aspiration to modernize classical philosophy and art, just as the Renaissance thinkers did in their time. This is especially relevant for my Performance Capstone which I started working on after getting back from Italy. My Capstone will be a modernization of Virgil’s Aeneid and I will be striving to make classical literature more accessible to my own generation. 

This trip greatly broadened my perspective and enabled me to see how Classics continue to influence the modern world, not only in theory but also in practice. Witnessing firsthand how Classics continue to thrive in their places of origin provided me with a unique perspective. One does not have to know any Classical history to appreciate the magnificence of Rome. Knowing how the Republic functioned is not necessary to appreciate the Forum. It’s inspiring to anyone who sees it. I believe this experience definitely deepened my understanding and appreciation of my field, and I am incredibly grateful to my friends, family, and University Honors for helping me make it happen.