I'm...Being Followed?

Have you ever had that feeling that you were being followed? Just that deep feeling that someone is watching you and what you are doing? This feeling makes me feel uncomfortable and start to panic a little. I always do not know what to do or how to act. Well, for the past week I have had this feeling more than I would like to have.

Okay, enough making you worry about my safety.

This past week, the University of St. Thomas Marketing team has joined the Rome Empower program in our everyday lives. I remember clearly when Thanos, the program director, informed us that there would be a camera crew here for a week to film us and all that we do. I immediately had a rush of feelings ranging from “this is so cool that we get to be used for the new promotional video” to “oh my gosh I have to look nice every day” to “I hate the way I look and my voice on camera”. When they finally joined us, these feelings intensified greatly right away.

In the beginning, whenever I saw them, I immediately started sweating. I got so nervous and could not concentrate on what I was doing whether that be reading, homework, or sitting in class. I was consciously so aware that they were there and my hyperawareness of myself kicked in. Did I look good? Do I need to adjust myself for a good shot? What do I sound like right now? Do I need to say something that would work for the video? This is exactly the opposite of what we were told to do and think but I really could not help myself. I wondered if this is what celebrities felt like. Constantly being followed doing the most mundane things in their day to day lives.

Now that they have been here for a few days and I have actually gotten to know them a little bit, I feel a lot more comfortable. Yes, I still notice that they come along to many activities, but I do not feel as intruded on now. It seems almost natural to being videotaped and photographed. This is something I never thought I would say because I am usually behind the camera! I have learned to appreciate the fact that this is their job and they are trying to create a video to promote the Rome Empower program. I have such a deep love and respect for this program to what it is setting out to do. This program has only been going on for about four years now so the fact that we have so many opportunities. I am so glad that UST realizes this and wants to promote it so that even more students can experience this.

Another addition to this unique experience of being followed by a marketing team is that I have midterms next week. The stress and amount of work that I have to have done by this next week actually amaze me. I have never had this much work to do for midterms or even finals when I was back in the states. This really speaks to the differences in styles of teaching in Europe and also how quickly my time in Rome is perishing. I am now able to give the marketing crew and other guests recommendations for places to go, things to see, and insiders tips for experiencing Rome. I think this is a major plus for having the marketing crew here. With new people coming in, I am realizing how much I have developed and learned in a month and a half in Rome. This reflection time I think is very important, especially with midterms approaching. It reminds me that this opportunity is so unique, and I am so lucky to be in the position I am in.

Moral of the story: Sometimes being followed is not scary and you realize more things about yourself 😉

“Storytelling is about taking someone on a journey with you” -Robert Fogarty