#8 Donatella | Historian, guide at Rome Colosseum

When the old meets the new

Background: I enrolled for a guided tour for my visit to Rome Colosseum and Donatella was my guide. I was especially impressed when she introduced herself as a historian and knowing that she has just graduated from university for a few months. I decided to ask for her story after the tour.

1. Why do you want to be a guide?

I had no idea of what I wanted to do while I was in high school. It was not until the last year I met a passionate history teacher and he inspired me to study history.

I have 2 degrees, one on Art critique and one on Art history and am now studying a master degree on management of heritage. I have a practice of preparing guides tours for friends, together with the passion in history, I decided to be a guide.

2. What’s your mission as a guide?

I think a guide can play an important role.

I want to share with other people about history and I believe I’m the key between tourists and the historical background.

At the same time, I cherish the opportunity to improve on my knowledge and personal skills when I meet different people around the world.

3. Why do you choose Rome as your area, while Italy has a lot of famous historical sites in other areas?

Back then I was offered 2 university places, one in Rome and one in my hometown, Naples. I am more interested in the art history program offered in Rome.

(P.S. Rome is about 1 hour 30 mins train distance away from Naples.)

I am also a curious person. At that moment I just wanted new experience and meeting new people and that I decided to leave my hometown and move to Rome.

4. Did you have a big struggle when deciding to move to Rome?

I did. I had problems with my flat-mate, I encountered people who weren’t nice to me and I had to stay away from my brother, not to mention the financial issue. All these caused a big struggle for me.

After all, I am determined to take the challenge and I made it. I am now financially independent. Change and challenge are always my motto.

5. Is the study of art and history encouraged in Italy?

Hum… that’s a difficult question. I can say our government is not next to the people and our professors in university help to put everything forward, like they may have connection with some companies and that may help us find job more easily. For me, a private company contacted me one day after my graduation and suddenly I got this job. It is never easy to get into the public sector.

I can feel Donatella’s passion in sharing the background of the Colosseum during the tour. I had no expectation before the tour as I am not particularly into the history but she presented a vivid picture of how this historical place was like and I learnt something new today