Our cultural exchange participant in Italy, Nermin, has been living for a month in the town of Fano, located in the province of Pesaro and Urbino, in the Marche region. Here’s what he had to say about his experience so far.
The program is very well-organized and not overly demanding. Communication between participants, program coordinators, and the host family during the application process was excellent—there was never a moment where anything felt unclear. The family I’m staying with is incredibly welcoming. They don’t expect too much from me and give me a lot of freedom to make my own decisions. The atmosphere in the home is relaxed, communication is easy, and there are no barriers between us.
The town I’ve come to is quite small, so everything is within walking or biking distance. People don’t speak much English here, which was a bit of a challenge at first, but the upside is that it makes learning Italian a lot easier.
I spend most of my free time at the beach or going out with the friends I’ve made here in Fano. I’ve also taken the opportunity to travel and visit other cities nearby.
This exchange has given me the chance to get to know Italian culture on a deeper level—and to challenge some of my assumptions and stereotypes. I’ve genuinely changed the way I see the world, my people, and my country.
To future participants, I say this:
Don’t doubt yourself or your abilities. This is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in a completely new environment for an extended period of time, to test your skills, and to gain new ones. As my program nears its end, I feel braver and more ready than ever for new challenges and future travels.
Español 
English 
Italiano 
Deutsch