A Girl Who Dreams

Interview With a Exchanger- Italy!

Traveling is something I wish to pursue when I get older, and was thinking the other night, why not interview people who are my age and have traveled already?

After talking with some friends on culture shock, I decided to interview outbounds(people waiting to leave the country), inbounds(people in the country) and rebounds(people who came back already.

Here is my first rebounds, kendratoitalia from www.cultures-shocked.org. She was kind enough to talk about her exchange experience.

1. Single most memorable moment while on exchange?

New Years day going down on the beach to search for my cellphone that I had lost the night before when me and my friends decided to go for a swim at like 2 am! We did find my phone which was good!!

2. What is the three things an outbound can not live without on exchange?

A camera; to take all the amazing picture memories you'll want to have!

A journal/diary ; to record all the personal thoughts you have. not just the ones you tell family friends.

an adress book; full of addresses of friends and family back home. people LOVE post cards! they are cheep and give you GREAT brownie points later! and a nice hand written letter is also appreciated!

3. In the country you were in, were people generally warm toward outsiders or cold?

I was in Italy, and in general the people were very warm towards outsiders. Right from the beginning they are very curious about new people. It still obviously takes time to make friends, but people are warm towards outsiders.

4. Do you think you have changed from exchanging? How?

Yes, I know that I changed. I believe that I learned a lot more about myself. I learned how to deal with problems and situations with out help, but i also learned that sometimes, its best to ask for help from someone that is wiser!

5. Do you think exchanging at a different age would have changed things for you? (such as college)

Yeah, i believe that if i had been older there would have been more freedoms. Parents (from around the world) are more willing to let 18/19 year olds go out then 16/17 year olds.

6. Are you more aware now of issues around the world?

Yes, before I left i never really watched international news before. now i make sure that i get the headlines from not only italy, but from the countries where my friends live as well.

7. Will you ever exchange again? If so, where?

YES! I am going to go to Russia for 10 months in 2010-2011 with AFS/NSLI. And I am also going to be going back to Italy for University.

8. What was the top three people you will never forget from exchange?

My host father; we became very close while i was there, he is one of the greatest people i know!

my host sister; we truly became as close as real sisters!

Afs Friends; they are some of the best friends that i have, even still. They understand everything and are just great people!

9. What program did you use?

AFS

10. Do you see yourself pursuing a career in the future that is related to international things?

Yes I plan on studying international Business and studies in university.

11. Top music played in your country?

Laura Pausini, Nek, Andrea Boccelli, Tiziano Ferro.

12. Were your parents for exchange, or against it? If they were against it, what made them give in?

My mom agreed to my exchange right away, but I had to convince my dad! it took forever, i made him a huge packet of information and he eventually agreed.

13. If you could describe your country in one word, what would it be?

Bella

14. When did you start fully understanding the language?

Around christmas time i would guess!

15. Would you go back? If you are, when?

yes! I'm going back to university in Rome, Italy for 2011-2015!!