This year at North there are four Italian students, 3 of whom are exchange students. Each of them is from a different part of Italy and did not know each other until they met at North. They have all come to America to learn new cultures and have new experiences. Each one has faced their own difficulties and obstacles while being in America.

Francesca Silini

For senior Francesca Silini, every day in America has its barriers. Being from northern Italy near Milan, Francesca has struggles every day in trying to adapt to the new language. She has spoken English since she was 8-years-old, and developing her English was a major factor in her coming to the United States.

“I wanted to come to the United States to improve my English and learn the culture,” Francesca said.

Even though she hasn’t been here long, Francesca has already branched out of her comfort zone by joining the tennis team.

“It’s been hard to meet new people because I can’t speak the language well, but everyone has been very friendly,” Francesca said. “My house mom and my neighbor have been my biggest support because they have helped me make friends.”

Francesco Filipucci

Senior Francesco Filipucci has also emigrated to America in order to develop his English speaking skills. Francesco is from Rome, Italy. However Francesco has been to America before for a family vacation, which has helped ease his transition.

“I came here two years ago and I practiced my English then and I came back now to learn more,” Francesco said.

Francesco will be here for the first semester of the school year, after which he will return to Rome. To help truly experience American culture, he has joined the Cross Country team, but there are many things he still wants to do before he leaves.

“I’ve already went to the countryside with my family and had a lot of fun at their ranch,” Francesco said. “I just want to have a good time before I leave.”

Isabella Lanzara

For one of the Italian students it’s very similar every six months; junior Isabella Lanzara goes back and forth from Italy to the United States after each semester.

“Its really hard making friends here because your schedule changes every year, but you meet a lot of people,” Isabella said. “It’s different in Italy because you’re pretty much always with the same 60 kids so the relationships are closer there.”

Many of the differences in the cultures of the two countries are in their academic lifestyle. There are 20 different schools in Venice, Italy where Isabella lives while she is there. Each school is for a different subject like Math or Science and you can switch schools anytime. Each student in Italy must take a test though to make sure they qualify for the school.

“Going to different types of schools from Italy to the United States has got me more open minded than most people,” Isabella said.

Alessia Ferrari

Senior Alessia Ferrari, is a exchange student, from Parma, Italy. She has made a goal out of experiencing

as much of American culture that she can. She wants to do many things like go to prom and travel across America. She also wants to develop her English which she has spoken since she was 9-years-old.

“I came to the U.S. because I wanted to learn English and I just love it here in America,” Alessia said.

Unlike the other exchange students, Alessia will be staying here for the full school year. Alessia has already gone canoeing on the Missouri River and traveled to Kansas City with her House Family. Her House Family has helped her meet knew people and helped her adjust to school life.

“It has been hard making new friends but everyone is very friendly, I have just had difficulty with the language,” Alessia said.

Taylor Bartram