Day 1: Arrival and Immersive History
The tour officially kicked off on March 31 with my arrival at the hotel, UNAWAY Hotel Empire, around midday. After checking in and enjoying a sponsored lunch, we set off for the Vatican Museum, a place I had only read about in textbooks. Seeing masterpieces by Michelangelo and Raphael in person was surreal. We explored the Vatican’s cultural treasures, and I was in awe of the artistic and spiritual history that filled every corner. The day ended with a walking tour of some of Rome’s most famous landmarks, including the Borgo Pio and Castel Sant'Angelo. Dinner was a fun and relaxed affair at a local restaurant, where we got to know our fellow Gilman Scholars better.
Day 2: Learning from the UN Agencies
The next day, we dove deep into the core of the program: understanding how international agencies, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) work to fight hunger and promote sustainable farming. The day started with a briefing at the U.S.
