Coming all the way from the Mediterranean, 17-year-old Raffaella Marcogiuseppe is the newest addition to Centennial’s student body. Growing up all her life in Gravina in Puglia, Italy, it was no doubt a huge shift when she moved to the United States. Back in the metropolitan city of southern Italy, the city overlooks the wooded valley and encompasses parts of the famed Alta Murgia National Park. So why leave such a serene and beautiful town?
Three years ago, Marcogiuseppe, inspired by a friend of her sister’s, began her research on exchange programs in the USA. After realizing she was an eligible candidate, she filled out the forms and applied for the next opening abroad.
“I would define myself as a really curious person and really open minded,” Marcogiuseppe says. “I want to see with my eyes the things that I like always seen on the movies.”
School life in the USA is notably different than all other countries, and Italy is no exception. Marcogiuseppe shares how “in Italy, now, we have all the same subjects for five years. So, yeah, maybe if you get bored, you cannot change,” but in the USA students can switch subjects depending on their interests and hobbies.
Another difference in Italy is that, instead of moving from class to class each period, the teachers are the ones who move around. Furthermore, she admits, “[school] is so cool, and I prefer [classes] here.” However, one perk of school in Italy is being able to go home for lunch. At Centennial, she finds it “a bit annoying” to prepare her own meals each night, though she admits it gives her more time to talk with friends.
Back in Italy, Marcogiuseppe’s days were structured around five classes from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Afternoons often meant hours of homework, leaving little free time. She also points out that, unlike in the U.S., Italian schools do not offer sports programs beyond P.E. twice a week.
“I really like sport and I think that’s an important part of our life as teenagers,” she reflects, noting how valuable she finds American high schools’ extracurricular opportunities and participates in field hockey herself.
Along with any life-changing choice, there are many personal goals. Marcogiuseppe hopes to become more independent, deepen her relationship with her host family, the Camacho family, and make lasting friendships. “I really love them because they give me this big opportunity. . . .[I am] glad for them forever,” she says warmly.
Outside of school, she enjoys her favorite parts of American life: trying new foods and most of all admiring the houses. She explains, “I really like the houses here because almost everyone has gardens and yards. We don’t have that in Italy, so I really like having my own space.” Still, there are things she misses, such as her Grandma’s cooking, friends, and of course her family.
For Marcogiuseppe, this year is about more than just studying abroad. It’s about becoming independent, building relationships, and creating a second home halfway across the world.
