Italian Exchange - Sydney Grammar School

2022 saw a surge in travel as we looked to reclaim our freedom and explore the world again after a year of lockdowns and restrictions. And so it began on 7 September, when 19 very excited Forms IV and V Italian pupils gathered at the airport to meet and greet their Italian host partners who had travelled all the way from Florence to our shores to immerse themselves in our way of life.

The Italian group received a warm welcome from the Grammar community both in the home and at School. The first day commenced with a welcome lunch in Big School where they were welcomed by Dr Malpass. For nearly three weeks they followed their exchange partners to their various classes and participated in activities both in and outside the classroom. The day of departure arrived all too soon and tears were shed as parents, boys and girls bid each other farewell at the airport, despite knowing that this would not be the final encounter.

Social media was on fire, in both Italian and English, as the boys and their exchange partners planned to meet again in December in Florence. Despite the cold and rainy weather, nothing was going to stand in the way of a great experience. Our boys were warmly welcomed into the homes of their exchange partners and enjoyed discovering for themselves the many cultural differences and similarities in such a unique and meaningful way.

Although 24 December marked the end of the Italian Short-term Exchange, it was the beginning of intercultural friendships and understandings that will last a lifetime thanks to this opportunity for travel and the ability to speak another language.

Story by: Mrs C Angeloni, Master-In-Charge Italian Short-term Exchange

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