Name: Rita Nicotra

Where are you from? Cantù, Italy

What differences have you noticed between your country and Australia? I think the most important one is of course about culture. I feel like there is definitely a big gap between Italian and European culture and Australia’s, from the food to the history. Italians give a completely different value to cooking, presenting, serving and eating food: something that upset me a bit at first was the fact that here lunch isn’t considered a proper meal and that meals are often not shared all together.

What has been the best thing about your time here? For sure the day and road trips I did with my family have been unforgettable experiences, but also the little, everyday things that will help me remember my host family in my life back home.

What challenges have you faced? Of course, becoming part of a different family isn’t easy, but my host family did everything to make me feel comfortable and at ease. Going for two months alone in a country that is 13000 km far from home is a great challenge in itself, but I think the greatest ones have been going to classes for the first time without my host sister and facing the few misunderstandings that there have been with my family.

What will you miss most about Australia? The first thing that came to my mind when I read this question is… birds. The birds were the first thing that really interested me in Australia. The first morning, while I was walking in the neighbourhood with my host sister, we were flown over by a little flock of pink and grey galahs, I heard my first rainbow lorikeets and I met a very friendly and cute willy wagtail.

Name: Chiara Costa

Where are you from? North Italy (near Torino)

What differences have you noticed between your country and Australia? Australia is much more relaxed and calmer. There is also more space in Australia.

What has been the best thing about your time here? Visiting art galleries and visiting Fremantle Prison.

What challenges have you faced? Drinking weak coffee! And adapting to the different school and people.

 What will you miss most about Australia? The kangaroos and the good music they play on the radio.