Our cultural exchange participant in Italy, Kristina, writes to us from Catania, on the eastern coast of Sicily, where she’s been staying for a month. Read more about her experience below.
I’ve been in Catania, Sicily, for about a month now, living with a lovely family and their eight-year-old twins. From day one, we’ve had a really nice and easygoing relationship, filled with lots of laughter and fun! The family is super kind, relaxed, and always smiling, and we get along effortlessly.
I live close to the city center, and I can reach it by metro in just ten minutes. I get to enjoy the famous Via Etnea, which is always buzzing with people, and full of restaurants, shops, and markets. One of the highlights nearby is the famous fish market—a must-see for tourists. The city is stunning, packed with historic landmarks, baroque architecture, winding streets, and alleys. There’s also Mount Etna, an active volcano nearby that you can visit—it’s definitely on my to-do list.
Catania is right by the sea, which means plenty of beaches. My favorite is La Playa, a sandy beach that’s pure soul-soothing bliss. I also visited the nearby town of Aci Trezza—small but beautiful, with the Aci Castello castle offering an amazing view of the city and the endless sea.
Another place that stayed with me is Isola del Correnti—a small curved island in the Portopalo area. It’s the southernmost point of Sicily, where the Mediterranean and Ionian seas meet—and you can literally see the difference between the two. It’s incredible!
And of course, I have to mention the food! Pizza, pasta, all kinds of seafood, arancini, cannoli, granita with brioche, freshly squeezed orange juice—spremuta… You’ve got all the freedom to enjoy the local flavors and dive into the culture.
What I also love are the people—super friendly, always up for a chat or to hang out. I met three girls from the U.S. who are also here on exchange, and we get together from time to time for dinners, nights out, and weekend trips. Our next destination is Palermo, the capital of Sicily! In my free time, I also love cruising around the city on a scooter, just soaking it all in.
Ai futuri partecipanti, dice:
To anyone thinking about applying—do it! No matter which country you end up in, you won’t really know how it’ll go or how you’ll handle it until you try. You’ll discover new places, meet new people—and you’ll get to know yourself in ways you didn’t expect. If this is your first time doing something like this, sure, it won’t all be easy. But trust me—whatever challenges you face along the way will be totally worth it, because you’ll come out with an experience you’ll never forget!
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