Rome, Italy – Amazed, frantic, excited, overwhelmed. This pretty much sums up the emotional rollercoaster I have experienced since arriving in the ancient city of Rome just over two weeks ago.

Anyone who has ever studied abroad is most likely to tell you that it was one of the best experiences of their entire life.

Wednesday Sept. 10, Salve Regina University celebrated the official opening of the 2008-2009 academic year. I arrived at the Wakehurst lawn around 2:15 p.m., apparently already late for the Junior Class seating.

Students milled about and strained to hear where each department was to sit.

Among the tourist destinations, clothing, and fudge shops in Newport, R.I. lies a hidden treasure, Your Sports Memorabilia located at 170 Thames Street. Nestled amid the boat painting galleries, bars and restaurants, Your Sports Memorabilia carries one of a kind merchandise for the American sports fan.

I remember thinking as a sophomore at Salve that I wanted nothing more than to reside off campus and to live like a “real” adult. Sure, freshman year in the dorms was fun and exciting and unlike anything I had ever experienced thus far in my 19 years of life, but by the second year of dorm life. it was time for a change.

As their second year at college begins, many sophomores at Salve are currently browsing off-campus rentals for their junior year. Meanwhile, others are still debating whether to live on or off campus. Due to limited on-campus housing, most seniors and juniors opt to live off campus in seasonal rentals throughout Newport and Middletown, which can end up being less expensive than the cost of on-campus housing.