Roman school days at the (American) Overseas School of Rome consist firstly with our lengthy bus trip out of the developed part of Rome. In those days, this is a trip to and from the countryside. Although we are all in different grades, all three of us take the same bus trip to the same rural campus.
At the time of our attendance, I’m in 6th grade, my sister is in 4th grade, and my brother is in 1st grade. In 1959-1960 the school’s name is the International Overseas School of Rome. Today it is the prestigious American Overseas School of Rome, home to an international student body of around 600 students. To be exact, approximately one-third are from the United States, one-third are from Italy, and the remaining third are from 50 different countries.(1)
The Bus Ride to School
Actually there are days that I clearly remember having to stop in the midst of our morning commute along the Via Cassia to allow the farmers’ sheep to cross the road. From the map I have locating that route to school, the area no longer shares the road with the sheep because the school environs are no longer the countryside. The geography has become more urban.
THE CAMPUS
It is almost 65 years since our attendance at the International Overseas School of Rome. Over this period of time so much is different there now. Once countryside surrounding the original main building is now a full modern campus. The vintage edifice originally the only existing building with some classrooms and possibly the cafeteria is dwarfed by a modern campus. The villa is partly surrounded by one or two story school class buildings. Besides that, at one end or campus are outdoor sports facilities including an up-to-date-running track.
After School Activity For two years previous to living in Italy, I study painting in a gifted children’s after school program. My desire to continue art classes in Rome requires switching to sculpting. In fact that is because it is the only children’s English speaking class available in Rome.
Coincidently, it is in the ‘artists’ section of Rome which is similar to Manhattan’s ‘Greenwich Village’. In addition, my class is in the villa of a German sculptress who we call ‘Aunt Helen’. As a matter of fact this is a creative, cultural, and charming experience. There are children from others schools who speak other languages. In addition we always stop our artwork for tea time, tea and cake. As my memory serves me, Aunt Helen is a German artist of some note. She loves teaching children as well. Unfortunately I do not remember her last name.
TRIP TO FLORENCE
Our Roman school days are not limited to Roman classrooms. In fact, our most exciting time is the weekend class trip to the art capital of Italy, the city of Florence. Instead of viewing world famous historical art in text books, we are able to view the real thing in person. This is something I will never forget.
The Ponte Vecchio My favorite attraction was not a museum or piece of art. Actually it was a bridge called the Ponte Vecchio. It was a bridge across the river in Florence. In fact, what makes it so special are the retail stalls lining the bridge with access only from the bridge. There’s nothing in the states that I think could compare with this experience as a weekend school trip.
SOURCES & RESOURCES
(1)Wikipedia-American Overseas School of Rome
