Our cultural exchange participant in Italy, Magdalena, is checking in from the charming town of Neive in the Piedmont region, where she’s been staying for the past month. Here’s a glimpse into her experience so far:
My first impressions of the family were nothing but positive. They met me at the airport with the biggest smiles and such a warm, welcoming energy that I honestly couldn’t have imagined. From that very first moment and throughout the whole program, they included me in every single family activity, looked after my health, paid attention to what I ate, and cared about how I was feeling.
Neive, the town I’m staying in, is a small place surrounded by beautiful vineyards. The view I wake up to each morning – and see every time we go for a drive – is stunning. It’s something I never get tired of, even after two months here. The town may be small, but it’s incredibly peaceful, and if you’re someone who doesn’t enjoy crowds and prefers that calm, idyllic way of life, this is the place for you.
Besides exploring Neive, I’ve also had the chance to visit Alba, Mori, Turin, Genoa, Recco, Camogli, and Busca. Turin is the capital of the region I’m in, and I completely fell in love with it – so much so that I’ve been there three times during my stay!
I also went on a seaside trip with my host family to a town called Recco, on the Tyrrhenian Sea. I’d never seen an Italian beach town before, so I was excited to experience that, and it lived up to the hype. One evening, we also visited a nearby town called Camogli – and I was honestly speechless. With its colorful architecture, beautiful beach, narrow little streets, and the Festa Stella Maris, a local festival where lanterns are lit and placed on the water, along with fireworks and storytelling – it was pure magic. Something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
I visited Genoa too – saw the aquarium, the marina, the main square, and all the little streets full of life and charm. If you love Italian architecture, the language, or pasta – I wholeheartedly recommend this program.In my free time, I spend some of it studying and some of it exploring nearby cities. The ones I’ve visited the most are Turin and Alba.
What I’ve appreciated the most is just how understanding my host family is. From the grandparents to the parents, everyone’s full of positive energy and always goes out of their way to include me. Not once have I felt like an outsider or unwelcome.
And when it comes to her experience with our team, she says:
Everything was clearly explained, and anytime I had a question, I got a quick and helpful response. Especially at the beginning of my stay, when I was still finding my bearings, they were super supportive and understanding.
To future participants, Magdalena says:
Go for it! If you love to travel, and you’re also good with kids and enjoy meeting new people, this is the perfect opportunity.
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