This year consisted of a flip-flop of students across the globe. The Latin program hosted an exchange student program with Italian high school students from Verona, Italy. The Florida students were in Italy Mar 15-29, spending two weeks exploring the country’s culture, education system, and famous historical landmarks.
A few weeks prior to their departure, the Italian students arrived in Florida to stay with their host family and visit Orlando’s major tourist attractions. Sophomore Allyson Hettenbach said that hosting her exchange student, Letizia, prior to her own journey over-seas made living over there easier, since she already knew the person she would live with.
Freshman Caitlin Galloway stated, “Once I met the rest of the family, it was awkward at first but- then I warmed up.” Galloway and her sister, Samantha (junior), travelled to Italy together, sharing exchange students Sofia and Carolatta. While in Italy, the exchange program took students on field trips, such as these; Venice, Lake Garda, the city of Verona, and other historical sites like the Vatican.
One of the main events the exchange students got to experience was attending school an Italian school. School in Italy was a culture shock to the Florida student because it had many differences. Caitlin Galloway explained, “Italians not only had school Monday through Friday but also on Saturdays.” Samantha Galloway observed the old age of the schools, which had holes in the ceiling, causing the students to have to move classrooms because the ceilings could fall down. Italian students do not switch classrooms like students do here in America, teacher’s travel to different classes while the students stay in one room.
Being exposed to new cultures in their native country shows teens the lifestyles of other high school students around the world.
