THOUGHTS ON THE AMERICAN EXCHANGE, THE EXPERIENCE

From the 17th to the 23rd of February a group of 21 students from Le Salle High School and McAuley High School from Cincinnati, attended Liceo Classico Morea for a week as part of an exchange program organised by Mrs Stella Minervini, one of our teacher of English. Back in October students from class 5A and 5B spent a week in Cincinnati as well ( 10/21st - 11/1st ) and then provided housing for the american students as host families. The 16 students from Le Salle had been placed in class 5B and the 5 students from McAuley in class 5A. The students took their new pears exploring nearby towns and made them experience life in Italy.

Here is how the American students answered to questions about the experience.

List of exchange students: 

A) Le Salle: Derek, 18 - William, 18 -  Jen,17 - Brooke, 17 - Kelly, 18 - Sam, 18 - Tory, 17 - William, 17 - Suzy, 18 - Samantha, 17 - Sam, 16 - Katie, 18 - Isabel, 18 - Ashley, 18 - Amanda, 18

B) McAuley: Noah,17 - Eva,16 - Katie,18 - Kayla,16 - Jenna, 17

QUESTIONS

Q1) You've only been in Italy for a few days: what is your opinion on what you've seen and the towns you've been to so far? Are our towns different from yours? 

A1) "Bellissimo", we've liked all the places we've been so far, especially Polignano, it was the prettiest. Your towns are very different from ours: you guys walk way more than we do and everything is closer and smaller; in America we're forced to drive everywhere since everything is so far, especially in the suburbs, where people often can't even go to the supermarket withouth a car. Also Italian towns look more majestic, fairytale-ish, with all those streets made of cobblestone and those really old looking houses and shops. In America there's more parks and green space, especially in the suburbs where people often have gardens and, if you're from the northern part of America, there might be a wood in you're town

Q2) How do you feel about our school? In what does it differ from yours?

A2) Of course we're not very familiar with the Italian school system but you're school seems much harder. We don't have spoken tests so we don't study a lot on a day to day basis; also we don't have to memorize a lot of stuff like you do so it means that we need less time to study. We like how your school has a lot of history and background behind it. It is very different from our school and it is different in a good way. You guys should try and use more technology as it could be beneficial to you academics and also you should have more options when it comes to subjects. Changing classes ends up making us more concentrated during lesson so that could be something to try as well.  We also think that you're school is already too hard to begin with so you're teachers shouldn't be so strict and you should have Saturdays off so that you can rest. Studying so hard can only do so much for you: if you don't have time to do the things that you like you'll end up losing all your creativity and will trade off you're well being for a few high grades. Those won't really change your future after all if you're not yourself any more and you've only focused on school and nothing else.

Q3) How do you feel about Italians based on the people you've met so far? Are stereotypes about Italians true?

A3) The Italians we've met so far have all been super nice, they've always been ready to help and answer our questions and honestly we didn't expect this much kindness, not because of the fact that you're Italians but because people in America don't act like this. You're so generous! Also you don't really fit stereotypes: you're not really loud nor do you curse a lot but you dress way nicer than we do.

Q4) Are you enjoying life in an Italian family? Do you think our culture and people are different from yours?

A4) We've really enjoyed life with our host families so far. As we said people in America can be kind, generous and helpful but not as much as you guys and they often want something in return. Italian seem really close and everyone of us noticed that you often eat with your whole family. Even tho we think that our cultures are not that different we must say that your food is much nicer, you have more history and the architecture is overall different. Italians also seem to go out a lot more during the winter. People in America don't really go out, unless their from the city but still mostly in summer; during summer time we do picnics, go camping, do sports, we have parties and loads of other fun stuff.

Q5) Has this trip motivated you to learn Italian?

A5) Italian sounds like a fun language to learn so yes, we'll definetly try to learn it. Also it just sounds so romantic! 

Q6) Would you now consider studying and/or living in Italy or would you just like to visit?

A6) Most of us would definetly study in Italy and live here. Who cares if school here is hard! The people are so friendly, the weather is just perfect, the food is out of this world and all the different towns are so unique: it's just too beautiful to even complain!

Q7) Which is the moment you enjoyed the most and why

A7)  William: I loved touring all the cities. I’ve never seen such beautiful scenery before and it is really an                     amazing thing. I’ve always wanted to come to Italy. 

       Kayla: I enjoyed mostly just being with the students and learning who they are. 

       Eva: The moment i enjoyed the most was in Polignano when we were at the beach listening to music                     because I love everyone on this trip and the beach was beautiful!

       Derek: I just loved getting to sit in on the first class. it is just so much different and i liked to experience it 

Q8) Has the experience in general been positive? Would you do it again?

A8) Everyone has different opinions of this but we all really enjoyed it: it was just too fun and we made loads of           new friends. 100% would do it again.

       William: I think my experience was very positive. I never want to leave. I love it a lot here. Everyone is super         nice and it is a great experience. I love learning about new cultures and that is exactly what I did here this             week. It made me look at life differently and made me open my mind more. It is very useful and I plan to                 come back very soon.

       Kayla: This experience was amazing and i would love to do it again! i love you guys!  Eva: I had a wonderful         experience! I bonded with so many people and met loads of cool people. This trip has impacted me and I               have learned so much about a new culture. 

       Eva: This experience was more than positive: I got to learn new things about your culture. It opened my                 eyes to new things i think coming here was one of the best experiences I have had ever. 

       Derek: I think it made me a better person because of how much I got to experience and share with others.

GLORIA CHIANTERA, II C LC