Jessica McCarthy - TAS to Italy

Fri 23 Jan 2009

Ciao tutti,

I have been in Italy for more than four months now, with a mere two weeks until I am back home relying on memories, a well kept diary and thousands of photos to remind me of what was perhaps the most difficult, yet utterly amazing experience of my life. Being an exchange student hasn't been easy for me. After moving around at home a lot before I moved again to the other side of the world, I’ve been unsettled for about a year now, and I will admit that it has taken its toll. It hasn't been easy for me; in fact it’s been really, really hard.

There have been times when I just felt so confused, so angry and just so fed up that I would just feel like I was going crazy. But when you stand on top of the Rialto Bridge in Venice at sunset, enter St Mark's Cathedral, or when you climb to the top of the highest tower that you and one of your best friends can find and you look out over Florence you just simply gasp for breath. I can' t explain it in words, mainly because I can't work it out myself, but the experiences you go through on something like this, the challenges you face and the memories that you just know will never leave, make you feel something that I truly believe is not possible from home.

I have learnt to appreciate so many things just from being away. I have learnt how to be brave when I simply want to cry. I have learnt to speak to people that don't know my language and most of all I have learnt what I am capable of. It takes so much to leave your home, friends, family and boyfriend; that huge support network that has always been there for me and to jump on a plane and just hope that everything will be ok. It was so scary for me and I remember sitting on the plane in Sydney after we had been delayed for two hours. I wasn't one of the students that could hardly sit still because of excitement. I could hardly sit still because I was contemplating running out of that airport before this adventure even began. But I didn't, and I’m so pleased that I didn’t.

It's so hard to imagine what it is like to change your lifestyle and everything you know at this age. I know I read all the student updates and I tried to imagine it over and over but I couldn't, it is impossible.

School here shocked me the most. The system and it’s diversity to what I have known for 14 years hit me hard, but as time went on I adjusted just as I did with the ways of the family and the community.

I have been to so many amazing places over here! My family stayed in one of Italy's most beautiful ski resorts for a week over Christmas and New Year - and every single day I woke with a smile on my face! The place was amazing! The fact that snow surrounded me, yet I felt warm because the sun shone everyday was just magic. I went skiing for the first time in my life and at first I shook and was scared but by the second day I was going down the slopes on my own! It was so unreal, the whole eight days flew and I loved every second of it!!

I've finally started to get along with my little host sister who’s 5. The communication problems caused a bit of trouble but now I see her as my little sister just as I see her brother as my own and the parents the same. They have been the most wonderful family, making me feel welcome since the moment I arrived. The way they opened up their home up to me is something I will be forever be thankful for and saying goodbye to them will be the hardest part of this trip.

So I have been up and down for the past four months: on highs, on lows, and rarely the in betweens, but as I am going home soon I can easily say that this was all worth it. Being an exchange student is an experience you will have with you for the rest of your life, be it good or bad. It is an opportunity to learn more about yourself, what perhaps you’re not ready for but what you will be thankful for when you’re sitting on the plane home. You really accomplish things whilst on exchange - huge things that I know I am proud of. You have lived a new life all on your own, you have had an experience that takes patience, acceptance, personality, strength and courage - all qualities that aren’t only essential whilst on the program, but while going through every stage of life. And personally, I can't think of a better way to get in a bit of practice for that.

I have seen the sights of Florence, walked Garda Lake, been skiing in one of the world’s best resorts, gone shopping in Milan, explored Venice and so much more. It is impossible to forget these experiences.

Thank you Student Exchange Australia for accepting my application and helping me organise this experience.

Jessica McCarthy