|
|
|
December 7, 1999
Adjusting to life, school in AmericaExchange experienceis 'cool,' studentfrom Italy saysBy SARA SYVERSON Journal Staff Writer NEW ULM -- She came from the immortalized city of Shakespearean love, Verona, Italy, forever to be known for the lovers Romeo and Juliet, to spend one year in New Ulm learning about American culture with an American family and the English language. Valentina Carletti, 17, is an AFS exchange student living with the Jerry and Kris Sandmann family of New Ulm. She attends New Ulm High School. She arrived in the States in early August. She will return to Italy in July. "It's different here, I love it," said Carletti, "It's pretty cool, and it's really big (America). The first time I rode in a car here you can see so much sky ... and fields; it's really different." Carletti has always loved nature. In her AFS application she mentioned how much the outdoors meant to her. America was the first choice of the few countries she put on her AFS application. She first became interested in becoming an AFS student when an Italian classmate related his experience studying in Texas. "I thought it would be a cool experience," said Carletti, "I wanted to learn the language, and I want to come to college here in the U.S., and then to live here." Although Carletti studied the English language for many years, differences in the language challenges her when she came to America. Coming from a bigger city like Verona to New Ulm was also a change for Carletti. In American, students are involved not only in the school studies but also in extracurricular activities. There's no 'prom' in Italy, she said. For Christmas in Italy, families go out eat, meet their friends and exchange gifts, but in America people go all-out for Christmas decorating and buying many gifts for different people. The Sandmanns became a host family for Carletti at the last minute. "It was real short notice; we hadn't planned on getting her," said Jerry Sandmann, "There's no doubt in the State of Minnesota that we got the best AFS student. ... We've had a lot of fun conversations." Kris Sandmann, her host mother, agreed. "She fits in quite well," said Kris, "We've taken her with us to Duluth, the Amish country, and we have other trips planned for her." In the Sandmann household Carletti has three sisters, Jenny, Jessie and Katie. "You never feel lonely," said Carletti, "You always have some one around." Carletti enjoys hanging out with friends, attending hockey and football games, and being on the math and science teams at school. This spring she plans to compete in track. Carletti's future plans include going to college in America and studying medical science and doing medical research one day.
|