Nadja spent a month in Italy as part of a cultural exchange program in the coastal town of Forte dei Marmi. As someone who describes herself as shy, one of her biggest worries before the trip was whether she’d fit in with the host family. But by joining the program, she broke through her fear of traveling alone and embraced the unknown with an open heart.
Even during our initial video call, I could already tell the family was wonderful. When I arrived, there were about 15 to 20 relatives in the house—so many people! It felt a bit overwhelming that first week, but I found my rhythm. Soon enough, I became more talkative with everyone and things got much easier.
She bonded with the young girl in the host family, who already spoke excellent English—which also helped Nađa improve her own language skills.
I’m really happy I had the chance to speak English and help someone else learn from me too. I spent most of my free time at the beach or visiting nearby towns I wanted to see. I met a girl my age while I was there, and having her around made my free time even more enjoyable.
What left the biggest impression on her was seeing how different families live compared to her own. She says it completely opened her eyes to new perspectives. Meeting people from outside her usual circle and sharing everyday life with them was deeply meaningful.
I kind of got a crash course in motherhood, haha. I loved the fact that I got a little taste of what it’s like to be responsible for a child.
Nadja had visited Italy before with her family and always had a great time—but this time, she experienced it from a local’s point of view. Her advice to anyone craving travel, human connection, and cultural discovery? Go for it.
This experience helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect. I truly recommend it to anyone who’s ready to explore the world and meet people who will change the way you see it.
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