2013 began and the first month swept away too fast in front of me.
I celebrated Capodanno (New Year's) with my friend Sara from Bosnia, and we went to uno spuntino (little party) and ate pizza. Italians seem to celebrate New Year's more than I've ever celebrated in the States, which usually included watching the ball drop in New York on TV with my family. There's a saying here which goes (translated into English, but it rhymes in Italian I swear!) "Christmas with your family, and New Year's with the people you want, your friends". Here almost all the teenagers seemed to be out of the house, going to a party, or just staying with friends.
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| Capodanno con Sara! |
Did I tell you I changed schools? Now, I go to a scientific based school named after the Italian scientist, Enrico Fermi (un liceo scientifico). Before I was attending, another type of school called the Magistrali. My class at my old school was never even supposed to be permanent, but in the end, they were unwilling to change me. My classmates were fairly nice to me, but I didn't ever feel like I was a part of the class. I'm really glad I made the change. I'm much more talkative and content now at this new school. They ended up putting me in a quinta (fifth year), which is with all the students that will turn 19 this year. I was in a terza (third year) alle Magistrali. It's an extremely diverse school situation, from the maturity level of the students to the amount they have to study. Both of which are higher at my new school. The class is studying five sciences right now (earth science, biology, physics, computer science, and chemistry) not to mention, history, matematica, English, Italian, philosophy, and P.E, but I probably will change classes for more than one subject. It's practically impossible to follow, especially coming in almost mid-year. At least, I'm not expected to do everything at school.
I've noticed this year that most of the exchange students aren't commanded to study too much. It would really take away from my experience this year; however, if I were studying all the time. I wish that the volunteers here had listened to my request to change schools a little bit better and sooner because my well being at school majorly impacted my feelings here...At least I was able to experience two completely diverse schools, classes, environments. I think that the same thing goes for host family changes.
I don't know many people (other than my family) in America who've been in my life for more than five years. In Italia, I noticed that many people hold their friendships for much longer. My host sister has known everyone of her age in the town where we live since the first year of elementary school. In my class, nearly everyone is comfortable around each other. This is their FIFTH year of being in the same class during the school year, six days a week, 5-6 hours a day. The connections created between many high school students here seem to me more heavily rooted and family-like, and I think it's a little shock to the social system when a student comes in for the first time half way through their last year together (me!). In the end though, it's super interesting and wonderful when us exchange students are still able to make friends despite the fact we haven't known our fellow classmates too long. There are exceptions of course...
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| Me and un piccolo Issahadore! |
It's been one of the best months so far...In the next couple months to come, there's much to think about. The mid-year AFS camp (already here!) will take place at the beginning of February and then there's the exchange week (I'll probably go to Reggio-Calabria on the sea!) in April. This year in Italy is full of thrilling and beautiful happenings...
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| Italy is glorious. This a ceiling of a bar (similar to a cafe in America). |
