50 years ago yesterday, over 200 very curious and most adventurous students from across the U.S. landed in Rome for the beginning of a year like no other – destination:
Loyola’s Rome Center was started in 1962. At that time, it was the largest American study program offered by a U.S. university in Europe enrolling Loyola students as well as students from 75 other U.S. colleges and universities, of which I was one.
While it is hard to imagine we arrived 50 years ago, it is so easy to remember the most incredible year of our lives. Quickly becoming a family of “campers”, we learned, laughed, loved and lived together. Oh how we lived!
Most of us arrived at age 20, having never been to a foreign country, nor away from home for more than a semester. There was no internet, no wifi, no cell phones, no pc’s, etc. But we adapted quickly. What we did have was one public payphone in the hall, mail slots, a beautiful campus, an attentive staff, engaged professors, and most of all, each other.
Yes, we actually did attend class with some very excellent professors, but so very much of what we remember from that year comes from outside the classroom, as they said it would.
We quickly learned how to get around in Italy…
and explore some of her greatest treasures.
We learned to navigate by train, and expect nothing to happen as scheduled.
On holidays, we even had extra time to explore far away destinations.
We learned of the unspeakable horrors of war…
and saw monuments dedicated to victory.
We rushed to the Vatican on 5/22/72 in the hope that the Pieta had not suffered grave damage at the hand of a madman. 
When not studying or traveling, we also trained well and competed!
We learned that every kid in Italy plays soccer,
and that some of then best “food” can be bought at the market.
At Christmastime, we sponsored a party for children from a local orphanage, doing much more for us than they could imagine.
At the end of our year together, we published a wonderful yearbook and I was delighted to be one of the photographers. All of the above photos are from that book, so kudos to the following people:
Finally, 10 years ago, Loyola Rome celebrated its 50th anniversary in Chicago and all classes were invited to attend. It was our group’s 40th anniversary, and as you can see, friendships are still going strong.
To the family of “71-72 campers”, indeed we did learn, laugh, love and live together. Oh how we lived!
Judy
Blogging In Italy 
Judy – that is so interesting!
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What a wonderful celebration. You had the right connection to Italy, Layola, Chicago. Wonderful memories the pictures are showing your talent in photography.
Love, Magda
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Thanks Magda!
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Thanks Sandy!
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So wonderful! Thanks!
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Thank you JK!
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What wonderful memories. Seeing Italy through the eyes of a 20 year old and then able to continue as years go on. Lucky you!
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thanks – how lucky I am indeed!
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Hey Judy Great Blog and photos. Great memories. Well done. Have to tell you we have decided to skip our trip to Cortona this year. At our age I hope we are healthy enough to travel to Italia in the future and that this COVID has truly settled down. Hello to Len Rudy
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Thanks Rudy. Truly great memories. As for your trip, I’ll email you and S.
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This is wonderful! What a great depiction of a very special time in your life! 🇻🇦💖
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Thanks, It truly was an amazing year that we all remember so well!
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I can’t imagine another group like ours and the wonderful experiences we had together in that magical setting. I hope this finds everyone well and, to respond to Sally, I was told on the Campus over a year ago that the classes are
No longer as cohesive as ours because students are only there for about three months and don’t make the friendships. God bless, Kev
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Agree, we found the same info to be true. How lucky were we!
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What wonderful photos! You were a photojournalist then and you are still one now! ❤️
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Thanks Julia, the fun continues!
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Ho wonderful Judy and how fortunate were you to have that experience. A year in Rome! We’re you Judy Capraro? I scanned the staff list, thought this must have been you! Thanks for sharing, I loved it. PS. We’ve decided to forego Cortona again in October. 😥 Our numbers are climbing again. So sad. Sandy
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Yes, exactly, my sleuth friend! Sending you and R an email.
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This is really great. You are a terrific blogger.
See you on Tuesday.
xx Carol
On Sat, Aug 28, 2021 at 11:56 AM Blogging In Italy wrote:
> blogginginitaly posted: ” 50 years ago yesterday, over 200 very curious > and most adventurous students from across the U.S. landed in Rome for the > beginning of a year like no other – destination: Loyola’s Rome Center was > started in 1962. At that time, it was the ” >
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Thanks Carol, and looking forward to then.
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What incredible memories! You were so easy to pick out of your soccer lineup!
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Thanks Deb, (because short ones are in front, haha ??) So nice to hear from you as you guys seem to have disappeared. Let’s try to catch up in the fall. Ciao!
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This was great! And there you are at the reunion with your million-dollar smile.:)
Several years ago I went to Toronto for a reunuion to close the high school I went to.
60 years before I had watched it being built!
After that I did 4 years of college and after graduating at 20 married my boyfriend. If I had taken your lead I would have had more fun and saved myself a divorce lawyer – Lol!
Luv to Len.
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You are too funny, but all worked out well in the end! Hugs
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Thank you for the chance to conjure some personal nostalgia. Even then you could capture a Kodak moment! Thank you.
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Thanks and yes, I’m sure it brought back many memories of your travels!
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