Our cultural exchange participant in Italy, Iva, writes to us from Palermo, where she’s been staying for nearly a month. Read more about her experience below.
I think this program is well thought out. I have enough time for studying, socializing, and relaxing—and I’m working at the same time. I do believe I got lucky with the city because I’m living in the very center of Palermo, in a pedestrian zone. The view from my terrace is stunning, and I’m very close to the sea, which is a huge plus for me. The family is lovely, and I’m their sixth au pair, so they’re quite experienced and gave me a great introduction from the start. Of course, nothing in life is ever perfect, but I truly believe I’ll be able to make the most of everything this program has to offer.
What I’ve enjoyed the most are the Sicilian landscapes I get to admire while biking. The city itself is beautiful, but what makes it special are the wooded areas just outside of town, right along the bike paths, with views of the open sea. I also really love the food—Palermo is famous for its street food scene, and it lives up to the hype. I’m also really glad I chose this time of year to come. Instead of being in Novi Sad where it’s cold, rainy, and snowing, I’m out here enjoying the sunshine in a short-sleeved T-shirt.
In my free time, I walk around the city, read by the sea, and sip coffee in Palermo’s most iconic square. I often bike out to a nearby place called Mondello—it has a beautiful beach and the whole area is just stunning. I mostly try to spend my time outdoors, making the most of the February sun.
Ai futuri partecipanti, dice:
This is a wonderful opportunity to travel, explore a place affordably, and really get to know Italian culture. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who’s thinking about applying—but I’d emphasize that this program is best suited for people who are adaptable and know how to take care of themselves.
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