Italy by the Italian students

 

BLOG DEL TEAM DEGLI STUDENTI ITALIANI

Valentina Masellis, 4Tub

This experience was unforgettable. These days I had the opportunity to host a Spanish girl, who had already hosted me during my mobility in Spain. I had a great relationship with her, because from the moment I met her I had the impression that we had known each other forever. Seeing happiness in the eyes of foreign guys in our country is very rewarding because it makes me think that even though we all have different nationalities, we have a lot of things in common that make us very similar. In fact, the intent of our team was to not exclude anyone and make everyone feel part of the group, but above all to make them feel at home. We shared moments of unique complicity; we sang, danced and listened to music, which I think is a very good way to establish relationships and be carefree. This experience reminded to me a color palette, each color is unique, but together they create a masterpiece. I would like thank my teachers, who allowed me to live this experience, my fellow Italians with whom I shared this journey and, especially, the kids we hosted.

Martina Pellegrino, 5TuA

My name is Martina, I am an Italian girl. I had the pleasure of hosting Franka, a Croatian girl. I was happy show her around our cities and to make her participate in all the activities. I always tried to make her feel at home. Getting to know the other guys was also fantastic, because interfacing with different cultures has enriched my experiential baggage. Unfortunately, I didn’t take a lot of pictures during the days, voluntarily deciding to enjoy every single moment and keep it in my head and heart. We shared a lot and that’s why our bond became closer and closer day by day, contrary to what I originally thought. I thought it would be too demanding and would involve too many responsibilities, so that I could not finish my commitment within the project. I can say that it was not easy to reconcile a whole series of situations and remain constant in the organization, but it was definitely worth it. All the smiles, the words and the hugs paid off all the effort.

Laura De Vito, 4TuB

Hosting a boy for Erasmus+ was a way to discover other cultures, lifestyles, customs. It was a really beautiful experience. The kids were all very kind and the sense of complicity was very strong. One of the most beautiful moments that I will always carry in my heart are the routes taken by bus: there was never boredom, we were always in the company of music and we were left with no voice for all the fun we had singing. I must admit that I didn’t feel so happy for a long time: the sense of lightheartedness that I felt while being with them was immense. It was a way of seeing the world with different eyes and understanding in other ways how fascinating it is to confront others and how beautiful diversity is.

Federica Bitetto, 5TuA

Hello! I am Federica and I am an Italian girl. I have already participated in other Erasmus projects but I have never hosted someone before. It was an unforgettable experience, different and formative, because for the first time I welcomed a Croatian girl: Zara. I got to show my school, my city, the most beautiful places with historical and cultural importance in Puglia such as Polignano a Mare, Ostuni, Cisternino, Alberobello and Castel Del Monte and also Matera, in Basilicata. In addition, we ate in typical local restaurants, where our guests were able to taste the typical Apulian dishes. Together we had a lot of fun, we also celebrated and showed our typical dances. Erasmus is an experience that allows you to compare different cultures and traditions, but that makes you understand the sense of union and equality, I would relive it and I would recommend it to everyone. Erasmus is sharing moments full of feelings.

Francesco Caldara 4TuB

I believe these kinds of experiences to be very formative both personally and emotionally. In particular, these days have brought joy and enthusiasm to all of us. It was the first time for me that I welcomed a foreign guy and I must say that it was very exciting: a unique experience which I recommend everyone to do. I lived unique emotions thanks to the experiences we’ve enjoyed together. What matters most in these experiences is not just having fun or learning but having an extra friend who supports you on the other side of the world. It was not easy, it was tiring, but I will treasure great memories forever. I sincerely hope to see them again soon, maybe with a little more freedom and lightheartedness. We also owe a special thanks to the teachers who accompanied us in this unforgettable experience. 

Rosita Poliseno, 4TuA

This project was a new experience for me, one I had never had before, and one that really left a mark on me. It was an opportunity that everyone should seize without hesitation. In addition to the cultural richness, because, undoubtedly, we all learned something new from the foreign culture and vice versa, it was also a reason to get to know each other and make new friends. Above all, the Portugal girl to whom I offered my hospitality was very nice and very kind, explaining to me the history of her country and a few words in her language. Of all the visits and days, I really enjoyed the welcome party on the first day, where we all got to know each other and watched the typical dances of the different countries. In short, it was a wonderful experience that I would do again a thousand times.

Giada Liso, 4TuB

When I think of the word Erasmus I immediately think of friendship. It’s amazing to find out how people can make such strong emotional connections in a few days, despite the difficulty of understanding each other because of all the different languages. The truth is that it was not much use the talking, because with a look and a smile, we said everything: "we are happy to be here with you". The rest didn’t really matter. We were united by music, dances, a succession of emotions that we shared TOGETHER, at the same time. It was a moment of great growth for everyone, especially in the cultural sphere. It was, in fact, exciting to see their typical dances at the party, their way of dressing or how they ate pizza without folding it and spaghetti without rolling them with a fork. I will carry everything in my heart forever, even the tiredness and the heat, but, above all, the most important moment for me was that of greetings made of tears, laughter, hugs and "I will miss you”. It is there that I understood the great impact that this experience will have in my life and the great void that it will leave. I want to thank all the professors and the students of all nationalities, for making me discover how much life can excite and surprise you and turn your vision of the world upside down, making you discover what lightheartedness and happiness are. Thank you!

Scorca Paolo, 4°TuB

If I had to describe this experience in one word, I would absolutely use "unforgettable". At the beginning, when the teacher gathered us to talk about the mobility in Italy I was very happy and with high expectations. This mobility has also exceeded these expectations! This meeting of languages and cultures, for me, is absolutely indescribable. Meeting new people who, slowly, enter your heart and leave indelible signs, is something unique. Laughter, songs, dances, smiles and wonder in seeing our beauties will always be in my mind. I would like to thank, first of all, my teachers who gave me this opportunity, which I would absolutely repeat a thousand times. I thank the Spanish for the laughter and the smiles, the hugs and the caresses. I thank the Portuguese for the dances, for the songs sung at the top of our lungs and for the small lessons of Portuguese. I thank the Croats with whom, because of the short time, I did not have the opportunity to know them thoroughly, but despite this I appreciated their kindness and sweetness. I thank the Bulgarians and their elusive words which have been able to penetrate the heart. Last but not least, I thank the Turks. I had the opportunity to meet and host a Turkish boy, Umutefe, who showed me all the kindness and sweetness of the world. Although the Turks "were not of many words", they showed me love and uniqueness always worrying about me. Special thanks go to my fellow Italians to whom I have given a part of my heart and whom I will always love. In conclusion, I believe that this experience has been the most beautiful experience of my life and, even more now, I believe that greetings will never be "goodbyes" because the memory will always live within us. And then, who knows in life what will happen: maybe one day we will see each other again.

Alessandra Masellis, 4TuA

During the first few days I felt very uncomfortable not knowing anyone. Over the days, I have bonded a lot with the Spanish and Portuguese kids. In a few days, we have lived many experiences and emotions together, so much that we bonded in such a short time.  There were lots of hugs and laughs. We got to know each other and, at the same time, increased our cultural background thanks to the differences in languages ​​and traditions.  Each of us has learned something from the other and it is these differences that have united us so much. The last day was very sad due to the departure of the Spanish and the Portuguese. We cried, we hugged and we promised to continue to talk to each other and, hopefully, to meet again in the future. I miss them very much.

Antonio Lovero, 5TuB

The days spent with the Erasmus guys were fantastic and exciting. They gave us a lot and made us learn new things. We had new experiences and met new cultures and languages. I wanted the days to never end because in every moment there was a new a smile and a new laugh. I made a lot of friends and shared a lot with them. When they arrived at school I thought that we would have fun like crazy together. The most beautiful moment was when we jumped into the sea not having a swimsuit, but only underwear.

Luca Abbattista, 4bsia

The first day was the arrival for the Spanish, Croatians, Portuguese and Turks. The second day we visited Matera, known all over the world, for the historic Sassi districts, which make it one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. On the third day we visited Castel Del Monte a unique piece of medieval military architecture: it is a mixture of elements of classical antiquity, the Islamic East and the Northern Cistercian Gothic. On the fourth day we visited the trulli of Alberobello, that is famous stone houses, which are a true symbol of Puglia. Then, we visited Ostuni, known as the "white city: it stands on a hill a few kilometers from the sea and is one of the wonders of Puglia. Finall,y we visited Poligano a Mare which is very famous for the beauty of its waters and its wild coast which blends perfectly with the numerous houses that surround it, giving a breathtaking result. This experience was special for me, not only because I met new friends and spent a fantastic time with them, but also because I hosted a Turkish boy and I introduced him to Italian culture, to typical Italian dishes and also very beautiful places. This experience has taught me to be welcoming and a good host to foreign people. Finally, I would like to thank the teachers Perillo and DiCorrado who made all this possible for us.

 

Martina Masellis, 5TuA

 At first, I thought that hosting wouldn’t give me the same joy as when I was hosted, that it could be too challenging and tiring. I’d like to say thanks to the foreign guys for making me rethink this. Despite the many commitments, the busy days and the tiredness, every night I got home happy and proud of the day. Being able to do my best has made me proud of myself and, even more, to have made foreign teachers and students happy. This mobility was exciting, full of smiles, songs sung at the top of our lungs, dances, hugs and lots of laughter. Having met new people and having gotten to see again those I already knew filled me with joy and made my days come unforgettable. I’ll carry this mobility in my heart and all those who took part in it.

Andrea Pacucci, 4ARim 

I'm very happy to have participated in this project. For me it was the first time I interacted with foreign guys and it enriched me a lot. I learned about people different from me, with different cultures and different mentalities. We welcomed the kids by taking them to visit the most beautiful places in our region. I thank my school that gave me the opportunity to live one of the most exciting experiences of my life.

Morena Balzano, 5TuB

This Erasmus experience was the first for me, and I must say that it exceeded my expectations. A combination of lightheartedness, education, culture, joy, discipline which were the fundamental points that motivated me more and more day after day. The days seemed to end too soon, as I was completely immersed in the project, with the desire to learn anything from my new foreign friends. I didn't think I could become so attached to people who, although I have known for a short time, it seems to have known them for a long time. They left an indelible mark on me that I will never erase.

When I accompanied them to the hotel, I couldn't wait for them to arrive the following day to be able to meet them again. Unfortunately this wonderful experience ended very soon, but it was very intense and I will certainly return to see each of them.

 Simona Maiorano, 5DSia

The Erasmus experience has been educational and has allowed us to grow, both in terms of language skills and in social relations. In fact, we have learned about different countries, cultures and traditions, idioms, lifestyles. We have learned how to be good hosts to our new foreign friends and I like to think that they felt warmly welcomed by our Italian enthusiasm. This is what makes us proud to be part of this land!

Although with some initial difficulties, everything was simpler and more fun, if done together.

It was curious to discover how what we often take for granted, for them is a privilege.

Erasmus+ is a project that was born not only to allow students to leave in mobility to learn foreign languages, but also to allow for the different cultures to meet, and I believe that this mobility has fully achieved the goal.

I want to thank all the Spanish, Portuguese, Turks, Bulgarians and Croats for their smiles, for their songs, for the choirs on the street and the affection shown to us. I really hope to meet again one day. In the meantime, I’ll carry them in my heart! 

Eleonora Muscatiello, 4TuA

During this experience, I was able to get to know new customs, traditions and, above all, I was able to confront myself with realities different from my own. But, in addition to the knowledge, I also had the opportunity to learn more about the cultural resources of my region, which I didn’t know before. They were very intense and emotional days, we shared thoughts and opinions, exchanged smiles, fears and passions. All of this, surrounded by a wonderful landscape that left everyone speechless. Special thanks go to Eya, the sweetest girl I could meet, so much like me and with a big heart, and who, through her stories, managed to take me for a moment to her wonderful land: Portugal. I hope to see the girls again as soon as possible and have the same experience as they did. 

Marica Ciocia, 5TuA

Erasmus is an experience that changes you: you can't remain indifferent, it's an adventure without equal that shapes you in any field and that makes you a citizen of the world. This experience gives you the opportunity to grow, to mature, to improve and to discover the daily life of those who have different language and culture. Time flies and soon, like everything else, this journey comes to an end. In your luggage there will be not only clothes, but also indelible memories and friendships created from nothing. You can’t explain it and you can’t even understand it, it’s something you can just feel.

Federica Cutrone, 4TuA

One word to describe this experience: unexpected. A few weeks before the guys arrived, I wanted to back out and not participate because of too many school commitments but also, and perhaps, above all, for fear of not being able to relate to someone of a different nationality, being quite shy. I thank God for not doing that. I never thought I would meet so many people in such a short time and get on so well. I never thought I would spend whole days walking in the hot sun, just as I never thought I would miss these exhausting days, singing in the bus and eating ice cream all the time. Through this experience I learnt to appreciate the beauty around us, which is often belittled and which I myself took for granted. I understood the importance of coming into contact, not only with people from another country, but also with their cultures and history. For this I have to thank the girl assigned to me, Marta. She is very kind, calm, curious, just like me: what a coincidence that we were placed side by side! Speaking about the experience in general, I loved every single day, every single moment we spent together and I am really grateful to have participated in it.