Tuva tells us about her experience in Italy
Tuva is a Norwegian girl who decided to spend a year abroad, attending 4C at the humanities high school – theatre and cinema at the Canossian Institute ‘Madonna del Grappa’ in Treviso. Here’s what she told us:
“I remember very well when I decided to spend a school year abroad: it was March, dark and very cold, as always during winter in Norway. In addition, lessons were online at that time because of the pandemic. I was a bit tired of everything and wanted to do something fun and new. I said to myself: why not spend a year abroad? The idea was tempting but at the same time it scared me tremendously; but then I decided to take the plunge and left. Now I live just outside Treviso with a family of four: my “parents” and my two “sisters”, who are 17 and 19 years old. I get on really well with them. My sister Beatrice and I go to school together. This has been a great source of reassurance for me because I always have at least one person I can talk to easily.
In any case, my classmates were very welcoming and I never felt excluded. This opportunity to change schools and meet new people will never happen again: this is one of the reasons why I highly recommend spending a year abroad.
However, the experience with another school system has its pros and cons. It is no secret that Italian school is more difficult, but I would say that it is also much more interesting than school in Norway. Here in Italy, more effort is required, but this means that in my final year of school in Norway, with the final exams, I will be better prepared to study.
It’s true that a year abroad isn’t all easy. There are big changes and lots of rules that you just have to accept, even if it’s difficult. I really recommend all students to spend a school year abroad because you experience very strong emotions and unique experiences.
