Our cultural exchange participant in Italy, Marija, writes to us from Bergamo, with views stretching across the plains of Lombardy. Read more about her experience below.
As someone who’s dreamed since high school of spending part of their life in Italy, I can honestly say I’m over the moon that it finally came true! From day one, I’ve felt like part of the family—like I’m right at home—and I don’t think it gets better than that. My impressions have been incredibly positive! The family is kind and open to any kind of arrangement. In my free time, I try to travel as much as possible. So far, I’ve visited Bergamo, Milan, and two towns on Lake Como—Varenna and Bellagio. What I especially love is that through this program, you truly get to know the culture of the country you’re in—their habits, traditions, and worldview. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s a myth that Italians only drink cappuccino before noon—it’s not. And if you’ve heard that putting ketchup on pizza is practically a criminal offense—yep, that’s also true.
Even though I’ve been here for less than a month, Italy keeps amazing me, over and over again. Their spirit is something you have to feel for yourself, their cities are something you have to experience, and their culture is something you need to fully embrace. What I love the most is how deeply this program lets you connect with the culture of the place you’re living in.
Den zukünftigen Teilnehmern sagt sie:
I’d recommend this program to anyone who’s thinking about going abroad but is on the fence. The Center is always available for any questions or uncertainties, and an experience like this is truly priceless. In my opinion, it’s one of those life-changing experiences. It helps you understand yourself better and grow into a more complete person.
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