Bologna

Mantova

Modena

Hello!

It has been a long time since my last post, so I believe that I owe you an update as to how my exchange has been.  My life here has been great and I have completely settled into my new home.  My Italian has been constantly improving and I now often find that I am thinking to myself in my new language instead of English.

A few days ago I returned from Sardinia where I met with over 200 other inbound exchange students from around the world in Italy.  It was fantastic to share stories and observations with other people experiencing the same thing.  The friendships that were formed by sharing this Italian Exchange were quite amazing.  Although most of the people had never met each other previously, there was a wonderful atmosphere of acceptance and togetherness.  

I have been going to Liceo Fanti, my school for about three weeks.  Although it is much different than my previous school in Canada, I feel quite comfortable here.  Over 1,800 students attend Liceo Fanti, and the building contains two floors.  However, I have somehow managed not to get lost....yet.  I remain in the same room for most of my classes, and I am with the same students in all of my courses.  In Italy the teacher changes classrooms.  I feel that I have gotten to know my class much better because for this reason.  Everyone of the students on my class seem very kind.

  About a week ago, I became quite sick, but it wasn't an entirely bad experience.  One of the worst things, I have always thought, is to be sick away from home.  However, this time wasn't all that terrible. I realized that this was because this is my home now and my family was right beside me taking care of me.

My Italian Family is amazing, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been placed in this home. I have very much enjoyed the time that I have spent with them (as you can see from the picture on the right of when) they took me to the beach) and I look forward to making more memories with them.

I am sorry that it has been so long since my last post.  I felt that for the first month it was important for me to  not think too much about you all back in Canada and instead embrace life here.  Now that I have completely adjusted, you can expect posts more often.

Ciao for now,
Megan

Hello Everyone

Today is my third day in the wonderful country of Italia, and I am loving it here.  After all the delicious food I've been eating, I should probably be exercising right now.  However, I will share my experiences with you first.

My flight was quite enjoyable and, since we flew over the Alps, the scenery was beautiful.

My host family is absolutely wonderful.  They have been very kind and helpful to me over the last few days, and I am greatly enjoying their company.  My family here is composed of my madre, Cristina, padre, Nicolo, and fratello (brother), Pietro.  Although they all speak English very well (Pietro has earned the nickname of Shakespeare due to his attention to English grammar),  my family mostly speaks in Italian to me.  They have helped me a great deal in learning Italian, and I feel that I have really improved since my arrival.


The Carpi Rotary Club has also been very welcoming.  Last night, they invited my family and I to a dinner.  There, my counselor Elia Taraborrelli, introduced me to the president of the club as well as many Rotarians.

I am very fond of my host city, Carpi.  There are many trees that line all the streets, and it has a beautiful mid-evil center of town.  In Carpi, there is the third largest piazza in Italy called the Piazza dei Martiri.  On this piazza there is are many beautiful old structures.

Today, I was able to try some 20 year old aceto balsamico traditionale.  E' fantastico!!!

Now I must leave you.  My madre and I are going to ride our bikes down-town to get a map of Carpi.
Ciao for Now,
Megan

(top left: my padre and I at the Piazza dei Martiri, top center:  my madre and I at the Piazza dei Matiri,  top right: the president of the Carpi Rotary Club and I are presenting our club's banners to each-other, bottom: my madre and I at the Santa Maria della Pieve

The Beginning of my Journey

Greetings everyone (or Saluti tutti in Italian)

As I am writing this, I am aboard a plane headed to Amsterdam (I will post this when I get WiFi at the airport).  I cannot even begin to describe how excited I am to soon be in Italy, meeting my Italian host family in person, eating pasta, and speaking the Italian that I’ve been working to learn the last few months.  At the beginning of today, I was feeling quite nervous.  However, now that I have successfully gone through customs and found my gate, I feel quite empowered.  After all, what I believe to be the hardest part of my flight (saying goodbye to my family) is over.   I am flying on KLM, which, as a fellow traveler has informed me, is the best airline.  I am finding my flight very enjoyable, and the free meals are absolutely delicious.

I haven’t even left Canada yet, and I have learned so much.  As those who are part of Rotary or are fellow exchange students in my district know, exchange students participate in a Spring Orientation before they go.  There, they teach us many lessons and tips that will help us for our exchange and for the rest of life.  Attending Rotary club meetings and helping at events has also taught me so much. With them, I have felt the joy of helping others, and witnessed that when capable people work together, it is possible to make a big difference in a community and the world.  I really treasure this wonderful opportunity that Rotary has given to me, and all of the wisdom that come has and will come with it.

Also, before I go, I would like to share my favorite quote: “Life Begins at the End of your Comfort Zone.”   I believe that this quote is very fitting for an exchange, and it has inspired me a great deal.

 

Ciao for now,

Megan