Information gathered by Krystal Gutierrez ’27
Shamya Franklin ‘26
Psychology Major (she/her)
Hello, my name is Shamya Franklin ( she/her), and I am a junior Psychology major from Minneapolis, Minnesota. My spring OCS program explored how communities in Rome, from Late Antiquity to the Renaissance and beyond, created, preserved, transformed, decorated, or destroyed spaces and places to serve political, social, or religious goals and identities. We visited smaller Italian towns, including Subiaco, Assisi, Padua, and Siena, as well as larger cities like Venice and Palermo. I chose this OCS because I was eager to explore Rome, given that the program is primarily based there. I’ve always been fascinated by the city’s layered history, where political, social, and religious identities intersect and evolve. I also wanted to deepen my understanding of how communities shape and reshape the spaces they inhabit, and I knew this program would provide the opportunity to do so.
One of the most rewarding academic experiences during the program was working on a group project about Santa Maria in Trastevere, where we researched the church’s history and significance. For my part, I took a deeper look at the stunning apse mosaic depicting the enthroned Christ and Mary, which allowed me to explore how art, religion, and politics intertwine in sacred spaces. Another highlight was the walking tour project, where my group studied the Ponte neighborhood in Rome. It was both challenging and fascinating to identify and interpret medieval structures like houses and towers that still exist within the modern city. This project deepened my understanding of how layers of history are preserved and repurposed in Rome, and how the past continues to shape the present.
Being in another country was truly a unique and humbling experience. At first, I found it challenging to navigate a place where English is not the primary language. However, over time, I learned how to handle non-English interactions with the help of my elementary Italian course. This not only improved my communication skills but also helped me adapt more easily to the local culture. Some of my most memorable experiences have been traveling to different places across Italy and connecting with the local people. Each place in Italy has its distinct character, and I’ve come to appreciate how no two areas are the same. Everywhere we’ve visited, there’s a strong sense of pride in the local culture, history, and identity, which has helped broaden my understanding of Italy’s rich diversity and complexity.