Cell Phone

The time is getting close and closer for me to go to Italy, and there are still a lot of little things that I really need to figure out before I get there, one being cell phones. I have talked to a few different people about purchasing a cell phone in Italy, but no one has given me direct advice, or connected me to any resources where I could get advice. So, I took it upon myself to do some research. :)


First of all, I think there are some huge benefits to having a cell phone abroad. Since I am not just a tourist, and will be immersed in the culture--with no other American students (at least none that I know of at this point), I am going to have to rely on myself, and the Italians I meet, to get around; they will be my social network. An important part of a social network is communication. I can't name one friend I know that does not have a cell phone in the U.S. While I cannot make a overarching statement about people in Italy, I am guessing that most--if not all--young adults there also have cell phones. Having a cell phone will not only be useful for getting around the city (when I get lost, which I know will happen), but it will be useful to hear about events going on. The first month I am in Italy, before doing any research, I hope that friends I meet might let me know of things that are going on through texting or calling (which is common here), rather than hoping I run into them so that they can tell me. When my research does actually start, having a cell phone will be a useful way for me to connect with participants and check in to make sure that we are on the same page as far as the timing and place of meetings goes.


Clearly, having a cell phone will be a huge benefit, but 1) What kind do I get, and 2) How do I get it?


Solutions: 



Purchase a SIM card for use with an unlocked GSM cell phone 

1. must make sure the phone is 'unlocked' and compatible with other SIM cards
2. SIM card determines phone's number and allows access to the service that particular SIM card supports
3. Buy FOR (not in!) the country
4. purchase from a dealer in the US who specializes in selling and renting cell phones for use abroad
5. if you get it early, the number is embedded in the phone and I can give that number to friends and family; active SIM card when in the country

Rent or buy an unlocked GSM cell phone and prepaid sim card from Cellular Abraod

1. local Italian number for calls in Italy
2. Free incoming calls
3. fixed low rate for calls to the US
4. all menus in English
5. 24 hour a day service
6. include foreign adapter for charger
7. come with small prepaid initial credit (4 Euros = 23 minutes calling in Italy, 11 to US)
8. it's possible to buy additional prepaid minutes directly from Cellular Abraod when I place my order
9. can easily add time while in Italy
10. UNO mobile service

Italy SIM Card Rental and Purchase Options
http://goitaly.about.com/od/italytraveltips/qt/cell_phones.htm

SIM & Cell Phone Packages for Italy http://www.cellularabroad.com/packages-italy.html

Well, now I know! Next step is probably talking with my parents and those that have lived in Italy, and figuring out which option is best for me.

Italian Fashion

I was talking to a girl who recently went on a field study to Italy (I think I've mentioned her, and this story before). She said that she felt really uncomfortable in Italy a great deal of the time; so, she ended up dying her hair brown so that she would fit in more. I definitely think that that was a dramatic move, but one that was obviously important to her. So, to help myself fit in--and not stick out like a total tourist--I decided to look up Italian fashion. And, while you might think this is a young woman's excuse to look at clothes, honestly, fitting into the culture is extremely important for me to have a full immersion experience, and even to do well on my project. I've talked with Sarah, my field director, and a girl in my class, Caitlyn, about style down there, but Sarah was in Rome during the fall, and Caitlyn spent all of her time in Northern Italy. Hence, I don't really know what types of clothes I should bring. I know my packing options will be limited, so I want to make sure that I what I do pack is appropriate for the weather, the culture, and so that I feel comfortable.

To do this, I decided to look up Roman fashion blogs, articles, and magazines so that I can get a good idea of what I want to pack. One thing I do know is that Rome is extremely humid in the summer. Anyhow, without  further ado, Roman Fashion!

I looked up an article titled "What to Wear for the Summer in Italy" on usatoday.com and here were some of their tips:

• Italy travel writer Jessica Spiegel writes, "Truthfully, you can pack and wear whatever you want in Italy ... but it really is smart to think about what you are wearing and alter it slightly when visiting. You’ll fit in better, and feel more at home." 
• What suits most Americans in the hot season is too informal for Italian fashion; go for longer shorts, dress and skirts; sandles are suitable; stilettos are extremely common! (Whaaa?)
• Italians will often give up comfort (being to hot) rather than look sloppy; it would be a good idea to do some shopping down there.
• While open "breezy" clothing is acceptable, it's always smart to bring a sweater with you to cover up in case you go into more formal places, like churches, where respect is necessary
• No red tonails! Apparentely paiting your tonails in bright colors may look trashy to an Italian--this could be the best advice I've gotten so far
• Steer clear from big backpacks, it's much more appropriate (and less touristy looking) if you bring a small purse
• Black is probably the number one color for Italians--it looks good with almost everything and is easy to accessorize with

I think I will definitely pick up a lot while I'm there, but here are some photos that might help me focus on the type of clothes I plan to bring!

Challenges and Concerns in the Field

I really enjoyed our last class period, we had all of our field directors go to the front of the room to form a panel and discuss challenges, mainly unexpected ones, that they had while in their perspective countries. A few that stood out to me were 1) finding housing and 2) being alone. I don't know whether it's a good or a bad sign that I already know these things will be challenges...bad because I'm already having problems and I'm not even in the field yet. However, if I take the "glass half full" approach, then I guess I can look at this as a positive--I know now that they will be challenges, so I can work on diffusing them before I get to the field, right? Right.

Housing

Housing has definitely been more of a challenge that I originally had expected, a lot of this probably came from the fact that it took me so long to decide where I was going to live. But I've realized that, while it would be great to get help from others, this really is my responsibility--or at least it has become my responsibility since I am now going to Italy as an individual student. So, since I have exactly 37 days until I will be in ROME (how did that happen so quickly?), I have exactly 37 days to figure this out. While I'd love to figure it out today, my goal is to have it set in stone in 2 WEEKS. I think I've mentioned before that I'm networking with every connection I have to Italy--return missionaries, other students who have done field studies or even internships in Italy, and I recently got in contact with the head of the Italian department, who gave me their contact in Rome. I have been emailing back and forth the last couple of days--he is originally from Milan, but just got stationed in Rome and is actually still looking for a house for him and his family this moment. He said he would start asking around and see if he could find a room that a family might be willing to rent out. So, right now I definitely have my fingers crossed on this one! I really do want to stay in Rome, I have a couple other contacts outside of Rome. Honestly, this who experience has been a huge testimony builder--I'm learning to have faith and know that, as long as I do all that I can, things will work out. The Lord's plan is better than anything I can imagine, and part of His plan is His timing. So, I am trying as hard as I can, and putting my faith in the Lord that it will work out.

Being Alone

I'm telling you, a good majority of the times that I tell people about my plans for Italy, their reaction includes asking me, "Have you ever seen taken?" AKA: The movie where two young teenage girls go to Europe alone, make some dumb choices, and end up being taken by criminals who sell them to be sex slaves. My answer, "Yes, I've seen it, but I'm also much more mature, prepared and ready to take the necessary precautions for my safety." I do think these people have a point, going to a foreign country alone does come with it's risks, but I'm doing what I can now to diffuse them. I'm planning on living with a family in Rome, I'm not going with a friend alone and staying in an apartment. I've already started making friends with some of the young adults in Rome's Young Single Adult program, whose contact information I've gotten from Return Missionaries. While I don't want to limit my experience to hanging out and interviewing members of the church, I feel that the more friends I can make before I get there, the better. Sarah talked about how she was really lonely in the beginning, that it would have been nice to have someone to talk to about--anything and everything--at the end of the day. I think it will still take me building relationships and friendships once I get there, but I figure that breaching relationships right now will help me a lot my first few weeks in Rome.

Snap! I'm so excited!!!!! Yes, it will be tough, but aren't all things worth achieving?

So Many Questions AND SOME ANSWERS!

Yes, I have been figuring out more about how I will conduct my field study by the day, but here's the thing: I'm still a bit naive (for lack of a better word) when it comes to international travel and a lot of specifics about Italy. So, for this blog, I am going to draft a list of questions that I have about traveling and living in Italy. My goal will be to get these questions answered. :)

1. How should I handle my money when in Italy? 
1. There are lots of options, often best to carry cash. 
2. Where/how should I carry it?
1. You can buy money holders that are discrete. 
3. Should I carry cash, or use a credit/debit card and take money out when I need it or pay with that?

1. Cash, but since I'll be there for such a long time, I may be able to do okay with a credit card--I will just have to check the fees for taking out money at ATMs.
4. What are the best places to meet young adults?
1. Young adult ward
2. Just in the town; networking. I was talking to a girl who did a similar project to mine on a field study and she said that she doesn't know how she would have survived without a facilitator and someone who spoke the language to connect her to other people. Makes me a bit nervous...
5. What big safety precautions should I make sure to take?
1. Don't go places alone, just use common sense. The girl I was just talking about actually dyed her hair brown to blend in more; that said, she was staying in Naples..
6. What is travel like between different cities in Italy--is the train the best way to go? Should I purchase a Eurorail pass?
1. There is the train, the metro and the bus system. I can buy a bus pass for about 32 Euros a month and get all around Rome (or where ever I end up staying)
7. How much should I pack for 3 months?

1. Always best to pack light (I guess that was obvious)
8. How much does it cost to bring a suitcase on a plane?
1. about $25 for 1st bag and $50 for 2nd.
9. What are common things that people do during the week?
1. No one had a solid answer, it just varies by where you are; in Rome young adults usually spend most of their time at school or work, similar to here.
10. What are common things that people do on the weekends?
1. Again, so variable, I didn't get a great answer.
11. On Sunday?
1. I spoke with a couple RMs who said that the young adults are not very into going to church. Members of the LDS church do, but outside of the church it is not as common.
12. What is the church like in Italy?
1. Quite long, most young adults don't go--according to the RMs that I spoke with.
13. Are most Italians strong Catholics?
1. Not the younger generations.
14. How do people dress in Rome?
1. Similar to here, appearance is definitely important to them.
15. Will my curling iron/straighter work in the outlets?
1. Nope, I'll need to buy an adapter. 
16. What are some MUST SEE things in Italy?
1. The list is too long to put in here, but anywhere I can go with the locals are the best--they can show me the little known places
17. How is Rome different from a small town? Is it a lot less traditional? 
1. A lot more of the 'melting pot' feel, but the RMs said that I will still be able to pick up on a ton of Italian Culture.
18. What is the difference between Northern, Central, and Southern Italy?

1. Northerners are definitely more educated and wealthy; Central (Around Rome) is much more diverse, and the South is described as having a lot of heart. :)

What Questions to Ask?

I am going into the BYU travel agency tomorrow and purchasing my plane tickets! Once that's done, there is NO TURNING BACK! Which, by the way, I am beyond excited about. :) So, in less than 24 hours I will have my plane ticket to Italy and, in 41 days I will be on the plane to Italy. 41 days sounds like a decent amount, but then I think about ALL I have to do and prepare for before then. I'm not going to lie--it gets a little bit overwhelming... But, right now my focus is finishing up with my IRB proposal. It's due this Tuesday and one thing that I don't have ready for it yet, are the questions that I am going to ask my participants. In class, it was mentioned that the best way to figure out what questions you should ask is by knowing your participants. The problem: I don't know my participants. I've read things about Italy, of course, but not enough to form and articulate my actual questions. Unfortunately, for the sake of getting my project approved, I have to come up with some questions--at least sample questions--for my project. So, I am going to take this opportunity to draft some. I'm going to try to do it a little bit like a free write and, hopefully, some of the questions will stand out to me that I can use for my study.

1. What are women in your society expected to do?
2. Why are they expected to engage in these roles/behaviors?
3. What are men in your society expected to do?
4. Why are they expected to engage in these roles/behaviors? 
5. Is it important to you to to engage in these gender-specific roles?
6. What would be the consequences of not engaging in these roles? Cultural? Social? Personal?
7. What are characteristics that you look for in a man/woman?
8. What makes a woman a good wife and mother?
9. What makes a man a good husband or father?
10. What is a woman's role in the home?
11. What is a man's role in the home?
12. Whose role is more important in the home?
13. Who (a man or a women) is more competent with home-based tasks?
14. What is a woman's role in the workforce?
15. What is a man's role in the workforce?
16. Whose role is more important in the workforce?
17. Who (a man or woman) is more competent with work-based tasks?
18. What are your goals for the future? For work? Marriage? Raising a family?
19. What do you want your role to be in the home? Why?
20. What do you want your role to be in the work field? Why?
21. If you were unable to contribute signficantly to a home-based role (providing emotionally), how would you feel?
22. If you were unable to contribute significantly to a work-based role (providing financially), how would you feel?
23. Do you feel like is it important in Italy for men and women to engage in gender-specific roles?
24. Do you think a women not performing certain duties in the home--like raising children, cooking, and cleaning--means that she is in some ways a failure?
25. Do you think a man not performing certain duties at home--like raising children, cooking, and cleaning--means that she is in some ways a failure? 
26. Do you think a woman not performing certain duties at work--like providing financially (or even protecting her family)--means that she is in some ways a failure?  
27. Do you think a man not performing certain duties at work--like providing financially (or even protecting his family)--means that he is in some ways a failure?  

Well, I think this is a good start! I've realized that I have some good questions to ask, but also that my questions need a lot of perfecting. :)

Fondi or Rome

Ah, where do I even begin? Every conversation I have had this week ends in a discussion about me going to Italy and--more specifically--where I am going to stay, in Fondi or Rome. As I write that, the answer seems obvious: Rome. It has been a dream of mine to go to Rome for years now, and--until about 5 months ago, I had never heard of Fondi; the only reason I even know where it is now is because Fondiis where the field study 'group' was supposed to go. Honestly, I was happy with Fondi, and excited about traveling with some other BYU students to experience Italy as an Italian would.

That said, I was thankful that I had a group to go with because, well, 1) I've never been to Italy, 2) I am far from fluent in Italian, and 3) I am a single women--it's comforting to know that someone I know from BYU will have my back. Unfortunately, everyone else that was planning on going to Fondi dropped out of the program. Suddenly, I find myself with a new sense of autonomy. I was initially fine with going to Fondi, and maybe I still am, but I can't help but consider Rome. Like I mentioned before, I have always wanted to go there and there is so much culture in that city, that I don't want to go to Italy, and miss out on an opportunity to live in a city that is so rich with culture. Then, there is Fondi--a smaller town where I can engage and immerse myself in a different aspect of Italian Culture. I have had the "Pro & Con" conversation about 20 times now, and have gotten the opinion of mass amounts of people. That said, the decision is still mine. Others "make the decision," but their decision has no repercussions; my decision affects my field study, not to mention the next three months of my life, and my potential happiness. So, rather than writing my pros and cons out like a conversation (the one I've had 20 times), I am going to make a list. Hopefully seeing it will help make my decision more clear to me.

Rome
Pros	Cons
Rich Culture So much to do--for enjoyment and for my study Lots of young adults and events oriented towards this age group (which I'm studying) Easier communication (?) Close to the LDS church; could still go to my church and other churches of friends I make Near lots of historical sites--something I can only get in Rome, whereas the beach in Fondi isn't a big pro	Safety, it's a big city and there are obvious concerns that come with that I might not pick up as much Italian because--being a tourist site--many people will speak English Potentially harder to find participant
Fondi
Pros	Cons
Safer than Rome Probably easier to integrate with the community (?) I would be forced to use Italian more, and pick up on more of the language Maybe some sports teams (things like that to get integrated Find more traditional/typical Italian families/culture Near a beach (might be a good place to meet young adults, but I also have plenty of beaches in the US, I don't have the sites there are in Rome)	I may miss out on a lot of the great aspects of Italy I would probably not get to experience Sundays there if I chose to continuing going to my church (LDS) because the ward is in Rome Near a beach--maybe a lot of seafood

Rome

Fondi

Ah, I feel like this is really one of the most difficult decisions I've had to make. 1) Because I am making my pro and con list on assumptions--maybe it will actually be easier for me to make friends in Rome or maybe there will be a lot more to do in Fondi. Who knows!? I haven't been able to talk to someone who has really gotten to spend a lot of time in Fondi, but I've talked to a lot of people who have been to Rome. It's a consensus that Romes is AMAZING. I obviously need to make my decision as soon as possible, or I am going to end up with no place to live in either city. Hmm I really had hoped writing this would clear things up in my mind, but honestly....I don't think either city is better, just different. I almost feel like I need to make a decision, then sleep on it over the weekend and see how I feel. If it feels good, I'll go with it, if I'm not feeling good about it, then hopefully that will be an answer as well. The toughest part is that it's really a decision only I can make..sure, other's can share their opinion (and I am GRATEFUL for it), but...in the end, it's my (potentially) once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I want to make the most of it.

I just spent 20 minutes thinking about this and.....

THE DECISION: I'm going to Rome!

I feel good about it in the moment, we'll see how it sits :)

Living Arrangement

Living Arrangements

Maybe I'll live in a place like this while I'm
in Rome, who knows!?

So, last time I posted, I talked a lot about stressed. Am I still stressed? Yes. Am I working to reduce that stress. Yes. One thing that is really important to me to reduce that stress is finding housing in Italy. Obviously there are several other things to deal with, like plane tickets and finances, BUT I could get all of that figured out, fly to Italy, and then have NO where to live.


Sarah has been a sweetheart and is looking into me potentially living with the lady she lived with this past semester, Caitlin is also in contact with a missionary friend is who is living in Rome, and hopefully something will come of that. But, to be honest, it kind of adds to my stress a bit not to have control over this aspect of my trip. I think I am going to start trying to do some of my own investigative research. I know that the BYU field study program discourages students from living with member families, but honestly, safety is a HUGE concern for me going to Italy by myself. That's not what I was planning on when I signed up for the field study, and I would feel so much more comfortable living with a family that shares the same beliefs and standards with me. I may try to get in contact with the bishop of the Rome ward and maybe he can connect me with a family...Maybe, if I talk with him, he can set me up to live with a family that aren't members, but that he knows well and trusts. Either way, I only have a month and a half to figure this all out, and considering how quickly the last 2 weeks just shot by, this is something I don't want to sit around and hope happens. I am so appreciative for all the help of everyone, and I really do hope some of those things go through, but until they do, I think it is my responsibility to start making things happen. I'm going on a field study by myself, I am going to be alone in a country, trying to speak a language that I am far from fluent in--I guess now is as good as time as ever to really start relying on myself--hoping that I don't have to do everything alone, but planning on it.

Welp, the 8:00am hour has hit, and I'm going to start making some calls and working on my check list items!