Why should I pass up an educational trip to Italy?  There is no good reason for not wanting to go.  I've worked hard the past two years to maintain a 4.0 average and have studied the German Language fro 3 years as of this spring.  Lastly, I had the honor of hosting an Italian student in my home.

 

          If I am accepted I have great hopes to see and witness great cultural differences over there.  For example,  a Lamborghini or Ferrari on the freeway. We would be there for Easter Sunday, and perhaps attend the Catholic Easter mass in my exchange student's church. It would be fascinating to hear the mass in a different language.  Perhaps I might even see the Italian Easter bunny!

 

          My Italian friend, Marco would always talk about his family.  It would be pretty cool for me to meet his family.  Marco would also talk about his parents being good cooks which I would enjoy.  He stressed family values were always important to him.  For instance, everyone eats together at every meal.  Marco and his brothers help out around the peach farm just like we do with our Christmas tree farm.  My brother and I like to cook and so did Marco.  We even had a spaghetti sauce cook off the night before he left.  His wish was to have his parents teach me a few of their favorite recipes while visiting and staying in his home.

 

          I would also want to experience the different ways of transportation over in Italy.  For example, I have not ridden on a subway or U-Bahn before, which I would like to tryout.  I want to see what riding a scooter is like too.  Marco states almost everyone travels by scooter.  The drivers are fast and dangerous, therefore not many young people have cars.

 

          We are scheduled to hike the region of Tyrol. I am looking forward to taking pictures of this mountainous region.   Vercelli, Marco's home is far north and close to the Swiss border.  The temperatures are cool in the spring like ours.  The experience of staying in a youth hostile interests me.

 

          Lastly, my great grandpa came from Naples to America as a teenager.  My grandfather is very proud of his heritage. l.  He is very impressed and excited that I want to learn about Italy and their way of life.  I hope all the impressions about Americans and America are only positive memories.  I will put forth every effort to represent my country and my family in a proud way.