I went to a city called Novara it is in between Milan and Turin. Novara is the second largest city in the Piedmont region, Turin is the first. I did the exchange program because I wanted to learn more about the language and where some of my family is from.  While I was in Novara I learnt a lot about the culture, cuisine, and language. During my stay in Italy my understanding of the language improved while my speaking improved but not as much as I was hoping.

While I was in Italy, I stayed with an amazing host family, Anna Refatti, Aldo Maggi, Alice Maggi, and Aurora Maggi. When I arrived, they welcomed me into their home with open arms and made me feel really welcomed which made my stay more enjoyable. They took me to a lot of places, but my favourite places were Cesenatico and Milan. My host family were lovely, and it was really sad leaving them.

While in Italy I also attended a musical high school with Aurora, Aurora was in 4^th year, and I was in 3^rd year. My classmates in Italy were amazing and I love them so much, when I walked into the classroom they had balloons up on the walls and they all welcomed me into the class. My time at school were definitely some of my favourite times because I was with an amazing group of kids. While in Italy I also met other exchange students from different countries, and I became really close with them.

Lilliana

I had my Italian exchange experience in Calabria, the south of Italy, in this small seaside town of Torre Melissa. During the 2 months, I stayed with my Host Family, Gianni, The father, Giusy, The Mother, and Gabriele, My 13 Year old brother. The family Dynamic was very organised, and we always made sure the house was clean for anyone, as per tradition in the south. I also went to a Science High school in the neighbouring port city town of Crotone. There, I met many friends that I still keep in contact with to this day. I really enjoyed my exchange and would recommend it to anyone considering it.

 Talay

Over the course of the 2023-2024 long holidays, thanks to the Ms Pennington’s organisation, WAATI and KSHS, I spent two months on the outskirts of Rome, a 15-minute drive from one of the most famous CBDs in the world. When the exchange was offered to me, I saw it as a really good opportunity for exploration, language building and just to experience something new- which is what I felt the exchange really did for me. I built my language up and felt an innate sense of confidence was given to me to take back to Australia as I had used another language to speak to people from the other side of the world.

I stayed with a lovely 18-year-old girl and her amazing grandfather, as well as having close contact with my host-sisters mother and partner. They made me feel genuinely part of the family, and I had many great times at the dinner table with them laughing about various topics.  Every day was home cooked meals right after returning from school, alongside amazing holiday celebrations and a fun family dynamic, the food of which I still dream about weeks after returning- my family promising me that I had a second home in Rome the minute I returned.

I got to see many of the great sites of Rome in frequent trips around the city, including the Colosseum, Pantheon, St Peters Basilica, St Ignazio di Loyola, Agostino, Maria Maggior Churches and many others that were incredible- The first church I visited blew me away, and I was taking pictures of every detail on the walls, before being told that ‘it was one of the not so good ones’- which I found humorous and really summed up the grandeur of those amazing pieces of architecture I got to see.

It really was an incredible experience that will carry with me forever.

Savannah

I was gifted with the opportunity to participate in a 2 month exchange in Italy through late November-January. Thanks to Kalamunda senior High school and Mrs. Pennington organization skill and energy I, and several other people have been able to enjoy this experience.

I got to explore the island, visiting Gli Sette Frattelli, Cagliari, Mamoiada, Oristano Sassari Ballao, the Beaches of Villasimius, and Soleminis.

Learning the entirely unique culture and Language of Sardegna has been my favourite memory. I was invited to take part in a traditional all-origional festival in Ottana celebrating agriculture and farms. It was a beautiful unique experience, unlike no other.

I went on exchange in Italy for 2 months last year. I was placed in a little town (about the same size as Kalamunda) north of Cagliari, in Sardegna. Sardegna is a beautiful place, even in the cold wet windy months. The town was adorned with beautiful mountain peaks in the east and rolling farmland hills to the south and west. The first day I was there I went out to explore the town. There I found an old church from the 1300s, lots of sheep, old and new buildings, and a massive supermarket squat in the middle of 3-4 story Italian houses. Many of the older residents, shepherds, and farmers of the town spoke mainly Sardinian.

Ana

From November 26^th of 2023, to January 22^nd of 2024, I embarked on a journey to Italy with AFS Intercultura. I was placed with a family in Ciliverghe di Mazzano, Brescia. The city and its surrounds were mostly situated in a plains area, but there was also a ring of mountains. The family I was placed with were the sweetest, most helpful people. I went to I.I.S A.Lunardi with my host sister, Marta, and I was placed in an Economics/Linguistics class. She was just in a linguistics class. While I was there, we went to some beautiful places, like Venice, Salo on Lake Garda, and visiting a life-sized nativity scene!

When I was there, I improved my understanding of the Italian language a lot, which helped me when, on the last few days I was there, I went to the kindergarten my host mum works at and taught the children all about Australia (they were a bilingual class.) I also went around toa few English classes with the Opear in the area, Mayrn, who was Canadian, and talked to them about all the interesting things to do with Canada and Australia.

Overall, it was a very rewarding and enriching experience. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in getting to know another language and culture, because this is truly the best way. It invites you into the experience and you find that it will truly turn your life around. I found when I came back to school in Australia, after Italian school, it was a breeze to get through, and I no longer had much anxiety about school.

I want to say a huge thank you to my Italian teacher here in Australia, Mrs Pennington, for introducing me to the experience and guiding me through it and Mrs Deacon for supporting the Exchange Program.

Nicole

Luthfia Utami

Hi everyone! I am Luthfia Putri Utami, a language assistant from Indonesia. I was born and raised in Bekasi, a city where the rhythm of life never ceases. In the classroom, students have the privilege of addressing me as Ibu Luthfia. For me, embarking on a journey to Australia marked a significant milestone in my life. It was my first foray into a foreign land, and Australia quickly found a special place in my heart. However, the transition was not without its challenges. Upon arriving in Australia, I found myself immersed in a world vastly different from my own. One of the most notable differences I observed was the rarest of motorbikes, a ubiquitous sight in my hometown. In Bekasi, motorbikes are not just a mode of transportation but a way of life, weaving through the labyrinthine streets with practiced ease. In Australia, however, I found myself adjusting to a landscape dominated by cars and bicycles. Despite the stark contrasts, I embraced the opportunity to immerse myself in Australian culture wholeheartedly. From exploring the picturesque landscapes to savoring the diverse culinary delights, I approached each experience with an open mind and a willingness to learn. Yet, amidst the excitement of exploration, there were moments of adjustment. The tap water, a seemingly mundane aspect of daily life, posed a significant challenge for me. In Indonesia, where access to clean drinking water is limited, tap water is often unsafe for consumption due to bacterial contamination. As I reflect on my experiences and embrace new horizons, I invite you to stay tuned for the exciting chapters yet to unfold in my journey ahead.

Satsuki Imagawa

Hello, I’m Satsuki from Japan! I came from Tokushima which has a beautiful nature and temples. It’s famous for Tokushima ramen and traditional dance. I like listening to music especially K-pop, reading books and comic books, and watching movies and YouTube. I come here every even week in this term, feel free to talk to me!