Studying in Rome: Exploring culture’s influence on personality- with Theresa Helbano (New Zealand) Artwork

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This is a podcast about people who have left their home country to live abroad or have an abroad experience. There are so many different reasons why we choose to move countries and become an expat and so many interesting stories of amazing people. Having relatable struggles, amazing adventures and new beginnings! Be excited about getting to know great humans with individual experiences. It is about getting to know new cultures, learning about different countries, having compassion and inspiring people to follow their dreams. If you have any questions regarding a specific topic or if you want me to cover anything in particular in the podcast, please leave a comment or message me directly! Can't wait to hear from you! :) If you want to be a guest on my show or you want to work with me, please send an email to: hannaworldwideandfriends@outlook.com Love, Hanna

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Studying in Rome: Exploring culture’s influence on personality- with Theresa Helbano (New Zealand)

October 26, 2024 • Hanna • Season 1 • Episode 45

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Hi everyone,

Please welcome with me Theresa Helbano from New Zealand. Theresa studied Theology in Rome for three years through Opus Dei and is sharing her insightful experience with us all.

In this episode, we discuss the experiences of Theresa who studied abroad in Rome through Opus Dei, where her faith played a significant role in shaping both her education and decision to study internationally. Although she was in Italy, a large Spanish community in Rome led her to focus on learning Spanish rather than Italian. This diverse cultural environment prompted her to reflect on the differences between traits shaped by culture and those that are intrinsic to one's personality.

She shares insightful examples of cultural contrasts that challenged her expectations, and how interactions with people from various backgrounds offered her profound moments of self-discovery. While she enjoyed Rome for its rich Christian history, her engagement with Italian culture was more limited. Language barriers, even among native English speakers, also emerged as a surprising aspect of her experience, highlighting the nuances of how different cultures express themselves in communication.

A central challenge she faced was learning to accept her own personality and understanding that every type of personality has a valuable role within a community. She came to realize that while it’s natural to admire others, there is no need to change oneself for acceptance—each person brings their own unique contribution.

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Love,
Hanna