Staff Writer: Noemi Vantini

Ten foreign exchange students are studying on campus this school year from several countries including: Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Columbia and Japan.

Seventeen year old junior Italian exchange student Ilenia Berto shared about her experiences.

“Since I can remember, I have desired to complete an exchange year, though I was unsure of the appropriate time. At first, I had planned to do it when I would have been in college, but then, I figured out I could do it during my junior year of high school so I took the opportunity,” Berto said.

She wanted to become an exchange student to learn the language, make memories and most importantly to challenge herself and become more independent.

Berto was very excited about her stay here in the United States because she wanted to get to know how life and school is here. 

“The main difference between Italy and America is that the school here is more active and involved in the students’ life,” Berto said. 

Being an introvert, she found it difficult to establish friendships because it required her to talk in another language. Although Berto has an older brother who has his own house in Italy, she grew up as an only child; nevertheless, she now lives with a nine year old and a thirteen year old, which is a significant shift for her. She expressed gratitude for having made a genuine connection and that she feels truly included in her host family because they regularly involve her in significant decisions.

Berto advises other exchange students to have realistic expectations and to live every moment without overthinking because you won’t get a second chance at this experience.

Even if her expectations weren’t met, she is still having a great time. Before coming here, she would have loved to know that the “special year” she was going to live in was a typical routine for everyone else.