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Benedetta Bertoglio
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2003-04 Inbound Student from Italy
Date of Birth: August 18, 1986
Hometown: Scandolara Rio, Italy
Sponsor: Cremona Po Rotary Club, District 2050, Italy
Host: Gainesville Sunrise Rotary Club, District 6970, Florida USA
School: Gainesville High School
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| Bene's bio |
| October 17 Journal - "It's
like a door that is opened on a fantastic world and you've the great
possibility to go into it. But this dream is only for a short time, so you
have to use this opportunity as much as possible." |
| January 17 Journal - "I
feel perfectly comfortable with each side of the society and the life
here. It's just amazing! I love this country and people. Now I'm getting
more American then Italian." |
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Bene's
Bio
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 I
live in the north of Italy with my family: my dad, my mom, my dog ...
OOPS, I forgot my brother!! I like dance, I like my country and our food!!
I decide to come to the USA because I want to try a new experience, strong
emotions, to know different people and a different type of life.
I'm really happy to stay HERE!! My host family is named
Rella, and I live in Gainesville with Bob, my new American father, Sherry,
my American mother, and Snapper, my dog! American too!!
That is all, people. Now you know me!! Kiss! Bene |
October
17 Journal
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| So,
if you haven't understood, I'm Bene, from Italy and I came here about two
months ago. Anyway I don't want to bore you telling the story of my past
life, but better, I'll speak about HOW my life is changing now.
For people who are having or have had a similar experience, it's easy
to understand what I feel, but for those who never did something like
that, it's only an exercise of imagination. And I'm here to help you to
imagine.
So, try to think that from today to tomorrow you leave your little
world, to go in a new country, with a new language, family, school...well
a new life!
It's shocking, isn't it?! It's an ocean of new things to
see ,to touch, to try! And that's unbelievable, absolutely wonderful!!!
It's like a door that is opened on a fantastic world and you've the
great possibility to go into it. But this dream is only for a short time,
so you have to use this opportunity as much as possible. (I think this is
the real secret: to be able to change, to adapt yourself, to live like
people around you).
This was only a little idea about what was waiting me before I left.
After 2 months of my leaving, I've the same enthusiasm, the same
curiosity of the first day. I'm every moment more sure that my choice is
right and it's the best!!!
To maybe compare and to try two different kinds of life is really
incredible and it means also to meet a lot of new people, making friends
around the world and to open your mind in front of a new reality, a new
beautiful reality. This is hard, because you have to learn another
language and a type of life different then yours, with its personal
culture and tradition.
You have to be really prepared and happy to do it. If you're ready and
excited to try it, well...what are you doing here?! Do it!!!
Now let me speak about MY personal experience:
I'm living in Gainesville, Florida (it's obvious), it is a nice city,
not very big, in the middle of the country. I'm spending my time in the
best family that I could imagine and there are my host dad, mom, sisters
and brother (all older then me), and also 3 cats and a dog. They're so
great (the people,I mean). They bring me and sometimes also Jens (another German
exchange student) to do amusing, unforgettable trips and we often go out
for dinner too. Let me say that it's really expensive for them, because I
eat a lot....sure, I'm Italian!!!
I like very much also my school, where I'm a senior (the smallest
senior I think, and not for my age). I've a lot of friends from here and
from exchange country too. That's great! It's like a little world with
exponents from each nation. And I'm the only Italian.
The American school in general, it is very different from that one that
I knew and that I had lived for a long time. Here, in fact, you feel more
involve in it (for example in Italy doesn't exist any athletic activities
or school teams). The first days all was strange to my eyes, but now I
feel more comfortable and it has became a routine, something normal, like
for every American student.
Here, I'm taking some dance lessons (out of school) and I'm so glad for
this, thanks a lot. So I've the beautiful opportunity to dance and to
spend some time with people who have my same love. Great!!!
In conclusion I'd like to say few words about the Rotary. I saw that
here it's more active, informal and every one is seriously sharing. I like
to see this enthusiasm, in fact I often go to their meeting at morning,
because I want it and not because I have to. I'd like to say thank you
very much to every members of my little club, who are very very nice with
me and to all my district (6970), well thanks to all people who gave me
this opportunity and who are already helping me in each situation. THANK
YOU.
BENE |
January
17 Journal
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Finally
I'm back!
I'M TRULY SORRY FOR BEING IN LATE!!!
Now I've a lot of stuff to speak about, so let's start:
At first I want to tell you about Halloween, because even though it was a
long time ago, it was such a cool experience, that I want to share it with
you. This event in the U.S. is really fantastic, because Americans
celebrate it really strongly. Entire streets, shops, houses (even
mail-boxes sometimes), become part of the holiday magic, that make you
think you are in haunted city. The 31st is the craziest day, in which
everybody is extremely excited ,in particular kids and exchange students,
who aren't used to this big celebration. This is what I felt. My personal
experience was a lot of fun. I tried to follow some of the most
traditional habits, like making the "Jack O'Lantern", preparing
candies for the "trick or treat", dressing up to go to school and to
a party,.... I really enjoyed that day I will never forget how exciting it
was.
Another typical American event that I want to speak about is the
Thanksgiving Day. In Italy we don't know it as well as Halloween. Actually
we don't have it at all. In fact couldn't make any sense to celebrate this
day, remembering the Pilgrims and the Indians, when we don't have any of
both. So, it was a lot interesting for me to have my first Thanksgiving Day. I
love to live the traditional customs of the country. I think that the
value of this holiday in the modern society is different then the original
one. It isn't any more a celebration of the alliance between Pilgrims and
native Indians, but a moment to spend with our own families; having a good
time; eating together; giving thanks for what we have. I appreciate that
in a country like this one, in which we are losing the basic values (and
in Italy is the same), people celebrate Thanksgiving, giving importance to
things like the family.
This date was also particularly important for me, because
it was one of my last days with my first host-family: the Rellas. For the
occasion all the members were there and we had a huge, wonderful lunch, mostly
cooked by host-sister Ashley, who is an excellent chef. I'm sure next year
I will miss Thanksgiving, like a lot of other things. But I will try to
make a personal one, copying the one I lived. I'm sure it will be pretty
bad, because, even having good cooks in Italy, no one of them can prepare
real thanksgiving food (me in particular!).
As I said before, after the Thanksgiving holiday, I
changed my family. This is a very important step in the exchange-student's
stay. It is something that you have to live with enthusiasm, because it's
nothing negative. In fact, even if I had a really great time in my first family, it's
always good to experience something new. In my opinion this is one of the
exchange-student's goals. Also, changing family doesn't mean to loose the
relationship with your old one, but better, to have the chance to have one
more. It's also very interesting to compare two realities of life, that
although both are American, they are so different. Each one with their own
origins, customs, hobbies, favorite restaurant,... My current one is as
fantastic as my first one. The Bowers are some of the funniest people that
I have ever known. And it's just amusing to have found a sister as Kelsey, who
is my age and with whom I can share time and activities. She is so
cool!
After a couple of days that I was living with the Bowers, I
left to go to the Rotary Disney trip at the beginning of December. It was
awesome! My personal advice about the activities that the Rotary organizes
is: to participate as much as possible! I really thank the Rotary, and all the people who made it possible: the
organization, my club, Al Kalter, John Brunner, Bob Rella,....
Thank you very much!
First of all, because they are really well made. Second of all, you have
the chance to meet a lot of other exchange students, who have many things
in common with you, even if they're from another country. It's a lot of
fun!
Now it's time to know about Xmas.
This is a very important time of the year, and as
exchange-student it's really interesting. You can compare your own
experience of living Xmas with your new one. It's something that not
everybody may do. I feel very lucky! But what you really understand is
that Xmas is Xmas; everywhere. In Italy as in America as well. Even if, each
place has some particular traditions, the real spirit of this holiday is
still the same: to be close with your family, sharing time, feelings, and
why not? Also presents and food.
On 26 I went with my host-family to Texas, and let me say, it was a lot
of fun!
Yeehaaa!
I spent an entire week there, visiting people and places. We
stayed in relative's houses different nights, and I felt like a real
member of the family. Everybody were so nice, generous and friendly, accepting
me like one of them. It was awesome! I'm so glad for the great time! Thanks!
At last I want to tell you about my present. I'm about
at half way through and I'd like start this year abroad again from the
beginning. I feel perfectly comfortable with each side of the society and
the life here. It's just amazing! My life is sill very busy and intense
with school, friend, school play (the Wizard of Oz), sports,...
I love this country and people. Now I'm getting more American then Italian.
Thank you everybody!
Until the next time!
BENE |
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