This past spring semester, I enrolled in the study tour “The Roman Experience: Art, Architecture, and Engineering in Ancient Rome.” The seminar included a ten-day travel experience to Italy where we would spend three days in Florence and six days in Rome while seeing all of the sights we studied throughout our time. I was particularly excited to visit Vatican City, as all of my relatives demanded I send them every picture I take.

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          Of course, all of this had to be cancelled due to COVID-19.

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          Immediately after the news hit, my friends and I were brainstorming ways we could make up for lost time. We quickly planned an entire trip to the Smoky Mountains during the time we were supposed to be out of the country (which also eventually had to be postponed). I decided to integrate coronavirus-oriented themes into my final project. I ended up drawing a COVID-inspired coliseum; the original Roman coliseum had arranged seating according to one’s “worth” in society (i.e. slaves and women were at the top and Roman senators were down in front). I represented this using the “worth” of COVID-related products, with toilet paper rolls on the top being supported by heart monitors and research pipettes at the base.

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          Despite the disappointing end to the class, I felt this was the course where my adaptability and optimism shined the most. I especially liked exercising my creative side after a year of difficult coursework. After learning about the rich history of Rome, I feel more determined than ever to visit Italy as soon as the pandemic ends, and I feel more than happy to end a bleak semester on a positive note.