Additional Coverage:
- I flew to Italy to visit my daughter, who is studying abroad. I was surprised by how much she has grown in such a short time. (businessinsider.com)
From Jet Lag to Local: Mom Discovers Daughter’s Roman Transformation
Rome, Italy – A recent family trip to Rome offered one mother more than just ancient ruins and delicious pasta; it provided a front-row seat to her daughter’s remarkable transformation from American college student to confident Roman local.
Cheryl Maguire, who penned a heartwarming account of her visit, initially worried about her daughter, who had embarked on a study abroad program in the Eternal City. Forty-five days and a six-hour time difference later, Maguire, along with her husband and younger daughter, touched down in Rome after a grueling red-eye flight. What greeted her wasn’t the daughter she remembered, but a chic, independent young woman, effortlessly navigating the bustling Italian capital.
“I almost didn’t recognize my daughter when I first saw her,” Maguire recounted. “She met me outside her Italian dorm, wearing a flowy beige dress and olive-colored satchel, embracing an Italian vibe.” Turns out, her daughter had already embraced local fashion, sourcing her new wardrobe from Italian secondhand markets – a true “When in Rome” moment.
The initial hours for the Maguire family were a blur of jet lag and disorientation. Public transportation, initially contemplated, was quickly abandoned in favor of a cab.
Even finding their daughter’s dorm proved a challenge, leading to an hour-long detour. This early struggle highlighted the stark contrast with their daughter, who, it quickly became apparent, had mastered the intricacies of Roman life.
Maguire’s daughter, now a seasoned local, took on the role of family guide, imparting essential Italian cultural lessons. Dinner, she informed them, typically begins at 8:30 PM, not 6 PM.
More crucially, she schooled them on how to spot tourist traps, warning against restaurants with laminated menus featuring photos – “a food culture scarlet letter.” While mostly successful in steering her family clear of overpriced, inauthentic experiences, her daughter wasn’t above a playful scolding when they occasionally ventured off script.
The family’s itinerary included immersive experiences like cooking classes and food tours. During one class, Maguire’s daughter casually mentioned an upcoming six-hour culinary course, much to her mother’s impressed delight. “My daughter’s expensive tuition is worth every penny if she plans to implement those skills when she’s home,” Maguire quipped.
Beyond the Roman highlights, the family also ventured to Tivoli, a destination chosen by Maguire for its two UNESCO World Heritage sites. This day trip provided a fresh opportunity for the family to explore together, and proved to be a hit even with her daughter’s friends, who expressed interest in visiting after hearing about it.
As the visit drew to a close, Maguire reflected on her initial motivations for the trip: to ensure her daughter was well and to simply miss her. What she discovered, however, was far more profound.
“Seeing her rattle off Italian tips like a local, navigate the bus system without an engineering degree, and introduce us to her friends made me realize this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” she shared. “She’s becoming someone I don’t recognize, and that’s beautiful.
She’s becoming independent.”
Now back home, Maguire finds herself missing not just her daughter, but also the delectable Roman gelato. Here’s hoping a cookies and cream gelato recipe finds its way into her daughter’s culinary curriculum, just in time for Thanksgiving.