A Chance to Discover a Whole New World

Sanja, a participant in the cultural exchange program with Italy, shares her experience with us in the article below:

Hello everyone! As a participant in the exchange program organized by the Center for Affirmation and Development, I’d love to share my impressions and experiences. Even though it’s impossible to sum it all up in just a few lines, I’ll try to highlight what I found most meaningful.

I truly believe this kind of experience is both necessary and valuable for everyone. First and foremost because it allows you to discover so many different places, customs, and people—and to embrace the parts you love, enriching yourself in countless ways. That, in my opinion, is the essence of travel. Even though we return home, we somehow manage to take those places with us. My trip to Italy was exactly that—an experience of discovery and enrichment.

Italian cities left her without words:

I stayed in a town called Grado—a small place with a big heart and some seriously good gelato. I swam and relaxed by the sea, and enjoyed a view of a 13th-century church from the shore. I traveled by train, boat, and bus, dined on the tiny island of Barbana nearby, and met other travelers who, like me, were wandering through Europe and falling in love with Italy. The fact that you can stumble across a centuries-old mosaic in the middle of an ordinary street was more than enough to make me stop, reflect, and enjoy the moment. I savored every sweet Italian breakfast and made sure to collect recipes to take back home. Some places left a particularly strong impression: Trieste, where I visited several times and even attended a rock festival; Venice, always lively and vibrant; and many small towns, each with its own charm. But what I’ll probably miss the most are the calm evening walks along Grado’s stunning sandy beach.

Her final message to everyone having trouble deciding which country to choose for their exchange:

I absolutely recommend Italy for its rich culture and history, and even more so for the warm and welcoming atmosphere and people. And finally—language. Since I’m studying Italian, it was especially important for me to bring the language to life, and this experience did just that. But getting to know a country and culture like this goes far beyond just learning a language—it’s a chance to step into a whole different world. All it takes is a little desire and motivation, and what you gain in return is truly immeasurable.