“My experience in Oregon has been great! I was very lucky because my family are very special people. When I first got there, I was kind of scared and excited at the same time. The key to spend a great time with the new family is to be yourself and just let it go. It was great to meet these wonderful people. We have shared a lot of amazing moments. I could establish a nice relationship with every member of the family. I will always remember them with great affection. Me and Kelsey, who is the older sister, went to the same high school. Kelsey is a joyful girl who helped me to get in contact with a new environment. Tivon, the younger brother, is a friendly and kind guy. Catia and Tim, used to tell me a lot of things about their work, their ideas and their past. I had the occasion to go on vacations with my family and it was such a wonderful opportunity to explore the Oregon environment which is majestic.

American school system is quite different from the Italian one but, after a while, you’ll adapt to it and you’ll begin to appreciate some aspects of it, like the different approach to some issues. The relationship between students and teachers is very cool; I got along really well with my teachers and they helped me when I needed it. At the beginning it is quite difficult to understand what other people are saying and to follow classes and this could be really frustrating but after a while you’ll start to understand better.

My exchange student experience has been something I will never forget. I am much more aware of the world now since I have got a new vision of life itself and now I know I have new tools to watch reality. It has also allowed me to widen my perspective and become self-sufficient. I am now always thinking about things from a broader point of view. My world has been expanded significantly and with it I have expanded as a person. I am much more self aware and already feel more confident and independent than when I left home last January.”

Pietro