I don’t like school that much. I can even go as far as to say I could live without it. That’s right, I’m one of those “self-entitled brats” that finds school uninteresting and monotonous, but believe me when I say that’s not the sole reason for my strong dislike of it. Leaving aside all those tenuous school subjects, sitting all day in a classroom can reduce one’s excitement for learning. That’s why, when my English teacher signed me up for a school project mobility, Erasmus LIFE to be exact, that required going to Catania – Italy, I was beyond cloud nine. This wonderful experience was sure to quench my dislike for school, even if it would turn out to be short-lived.
Someone once told me that I should do everything in my capacity to see the world, meet all kinds of people, expand my horizons and improve my cultural knowledge things that will help me become an open-minded person and this gave me the perfect opportunity to do so, served on a plate! I can count on one hand all the times I went on a trip outside my city, so you can imagine how a free of charge trip to a different country, and Italy nonetheless, gave me the excitement of a newly born deer on ice skates.
Walking down the bustling streets in Piazza Armerina gave me the impression I was stuck in a long lost Renaissance painting, finding myself struck with awe at every little thing. Being the history junkie that I am, of course I didn’t pay much attention to anything but the medieval architecture and paintings that decorated almost every building. It seemed that religion played a very important role in an Italian’s life, looking around Virgin Mary decorated almost every cultural attraction. It was like a dream but it also gave me a strong impression of being home. The warm and very welcoming people also helped in giving me that sentiment of relaxation.
I can’t pinpoint every site we visited as much as I can’t remember them all – there were a lot! – but all I can say is that I’m very thankful and lucky to have been chosen to participate in such an amazing and wonderful experience ,and I’m glad I had the chance to engulf myself in a different culture and enlarge my cultural knowledge.
Turns out school related things may not all be boring and monotonous!
Teacher: Aurelia Cucu
Student: C.F.O.