Kids Today Revisited: Lessons From Studying Abroad in Rome

May 31, 2026 - 23:04

A semester abroad in Rome is giving new meaning to the phrase "kids today." For years, the common narrative has painted young people as distracted, anxious, and glued to their screens. But a recent look at a "Psychology of Living" course taught to undergraduates in the Italian capital suggests that narrative might need a rewrite.

The class, held in the heart of Rome, pushed students to step away from their usual routines. Instead of lectures in a sterile classroom, they studied concepts like mindfulness, gratitude, and social connection while navigating a foreign city. The result was a surprising lesson for the professors: these students were not the disengaged generation often described in headlines. They were curious, resilient, and eager to engage with the world around them.

One key takeaway was how the environment itself changed behavior. Without the constant pull of familiar distractions, students started talking to strangers at cafes, got lost on purpose, and learned to read a paper map. The professors noted that the students' ability to adapt and find joy in simple experiences challenged the stereotype of a generation that only lives through a phone screen.

The real lesson from Rome might be that "kids today" are not broken. They just need the right context to thrive. When given a chance to slow down and connect with a place and each other, they do so with an enthusiasm that surprises even themselves. The study abroad experience suggests that the problem is not the generation, but the environment we have built for them. Give them a piazza, some good pasta, and a reason to look up, and they will show you what they are really made of.