School, students, teachers.
The Italian school system is very different from the American one. At the beginning, I found it very confusing as I had to choose the subjects, run from one class to another, use computers instead of books, have many classmates and alternate A and B days during the week. I had to asked myself, “Where am I?”
Step by step I became a North Star! I will never forget my first day of school. Everything was like what I have always seen in movies: Music, cheerleaders, flag weavers, games in the crowded gym etc.
In my country the school system is traditional, teachers keep distance from students, and generally, it seems meant to repress the students' social life. Even if the level of education is very good, there are too many subjects and a lot of homework to do that prevents them to join extra activities. In America students have the sense of belonging to the school because they participate in many activities, and they play sports to compete for the school.
The thing that I like the most is the relationship between students and teachers because it is more like friendship. Teachers really care about the students and their improvements.
The new short life in America:
Of course, even if I’m enjoying this experience, staying far way from my home is very hard. I miss my family, my friends, my daily routine, my food etc. Nevertheless, I would repeat this experience thousands of times because I'm learning something that nobody, no school can teach me, just the life can. In whatever way you view a country, a culture or even a person, it can’t be right or wrong because it is different. You only need to try to appreciate it. Just try. Therefore, I encourage everyone to step outside the comfort zone and experience another world/culture.
About me:
I’m a seventeen-years-old girl called Sustika. That is a Nepalese name that means “good luck”. Actually, I feel to be very lucky in my life. I was adopted by a wonderful Italian family, I live in the beautiful city Florence, I love my friends, and I had the opportunity to experience the exchange year in America.
My motto is “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever”
-Mahatma Gandhi
Life begins
at the end of your
comfort zone
"
"
-Neale Donald Walsch
6