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Param Goel, AFS Year Program 2022-23, Italy (EHIS Indore)

My experience of 4 months in Italy has been like “turmoil” I remember the struggle of first few days as it was very difficult to communicate, but now, I can say that there is a world of difference I have never enjoyed myself like this before, as I’m right now pretty much prominent in my school, in the area where I live, and also with the people that I come across every day! It has been amazing to share and listen to ideas and thoughts of the people I have met here about India, our religion and our culture. When I started this journey, it was a bit difficult for me, as I did not have the grip on the language but with the time, I have been able to manage things quite smoothly. Initially when I was doing my presentations about India in English, very few students would be interested, but now that I have started giving the presentations in Italian, the students of my class have started paying attention and are filled with a book of questions They have started to talk more and more with me about India and involve me in their discussions Every day they teach me a new word in Italian I felt very nice when they learned Indian greetings from me and started greeting me with “Namaste, Radhe-Radhe or Ram-Ram”.

This program has made me more confident and more powerful as I get frequent opportunities to speak in front of a number of people. Another thing that I have got to do being on this intercultural program is to be able to have and spread a positive perception about India.

The first day I went to school here, some children asked me if Indians really eat “pizza with pineapples”, and I was extremely surprised to hear such a notion of my country. But with time, I’m happy to say that I could make them aware about the beautiful culture, heritage and diversity of India Likewise, my knowledge of Italian culture and people has also expanded manifold.

Vashnavi Mahajan, AFS Short Term Program Italy 2022-23 (Queens' College, Indore)

What comes first in your mind when you say Italy? Pizza, right? But that is not all. I had many exciting experiences there that I will cherish over and over throughout my life. I was an AFS Intercultural exchange student in Italy, and I didn't know how it would impact me or what to expect… I would like to share a couple of experiences I had while in Italy that amazed me.

Being a 16-year-old in a foreign country was exciting for me because it allowed me to get to know myself even better Once I traveled solo to a nearby city and was supposed to return home the same evening. But unfortunately, I missed my train which was going to take me back to my city and I was left all alone in a city that was 150km away from my home. Luckily I found a rental apartment to stay in for a night and the next morning, I boarded a train back home. It was an adventurous evening. I solved many problems on my own which is the reason I can say that I am a self-sufficient person now. I only eat vegetarian food. Finding food was a major challenge for me But the good thing is I managed to eat there for two months

The time I spent there proved that visiting Italy was the best decision I had ever made. My experience had its highs as well as lows. The difficult circumstances pushed me out of my comfort zone, and for that I am grateful to AFS for giving me this opportunity.

Shrusti Patel, AFS Short Term Program Italy 2022-23 (DPS Indore)

Ciao Dear Readers,

I am Shrusti Patel and recently took part in 2month student exchange program in Italy. From taking the flights alone to buying food and being on my own, each and every little step of my journey was completely different from the life I had back in India.

I was placed in the capital city of Rome which is famous for the best carbonara pasta, and the yummiest of the desserts. The most important people in my journey were the members of my amazing host family We made so many memories together, from going to an Indian restaurant, dancing to Bollywood music in Gujarati fit, going on a small weekend trip, exploring the city together to just simply having family dinner together every day.

The first week at school was a little difficult for me due to the language barrier as I could speak nearly no Italian, and in Italy, not everyone speaks English But once I learnt Italian, things started getting smoother I could have great conversations with my friends about the Indian and Italian cultures and marvel on the beauty of how contrasting the two are!

Though it was a small trip, it felt like I had spent a whole life in 2 months. Experiences like when I went out for a pizza just by myself or to the Colosseum and sat in front of it and stared at its beauty for hours, are unforgettable. Everything was just miraculous for me. I can't thank everyone at AFS and my host family enough for giving me such an amazing and beautiful opportunity...