Rye Neck High School students just returned from Assisi, Italy, where they enjoyed the trip of a lifetime. They immersed themselves in Italian culture, living with host families and attending Liceo Classico Properzio School for ten days. 

 

By Janice Llanes Fabry

 

Rye Neck High School students just returned from Assisi, Italy, where they enjoyed the trip of a lifetime. They immersed themselves in Italian culture, living with host families and attending Liceo Classico Properzio School for ten days.

 

The students were bowled over by the experience. “Everybody was so nice and so welcoming. We all became a family,” said Bryana Barreto. Matt Franks agreed, “I’m surprised at how much time we spent together with our new Italian friends.” While Jennifer Calderon bonded with her “Italian sister,” Nicole Violi admitted to shedding a few tears when they left Assisi.

 

“It was about a connection between Italians and Americans, as well as about visiting the Italian cities,” said Tiffany Azner.

 

From their home base in central Italy, the 17 sophomores, juniors, and seniors traveled to Rome, Venice and Florence and all the accompanying sites.

 

Italian language teacher Rita Carolini, who has run the program since 1995, said, “It has been such a success that we’ve continued to do it all these years.”

 

“Becoming familiar with their surroundings makes the kids love the Italian culture and it makes the academic connection more interesting as well,” said Carolini, whose students read “The Divine Comedy” and visited Dante’s home.

 

The exchange program was founded in 1994 by New York’s former First Lady, Matilda Cuomo, as a Peace Exchange, commemorating Christopher Columbus and fostering a cooperative educational program with Italy’s Ministry of Education. Rye Neck High School was one of ten schools in New York State chosen to participate. It was matched up with Assisi, a similar community with a small school.

 

The families of those Rye Neck students who just returned look forward to hosting their fellow students from Assisi next fall.