Italia

AFS students live throughout Italy, including the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, usually in a small town. It’s common, especially in the south, for many generations to live together under one roof. Mealtimes are social events, lasting for hours on weekends or holidays. Conversations can be very passionate, and loud discussions with lots of gesturing and emphatic facial expressions are the Italian way to go.

Students in Italy attend classes Monday through Saturday, from about 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. If you actively participate in school, it will be easier to make friends with your classmates.

Italian is the official language, although there are different dialects from city to city. There are significant French- and German-speaking pockets of people, as well as the complex Friuliano dialect close to the Slovenian border. To help you feel comfortable with Italian before you begin your program, take the Rosetta Stone course. Once you arrive in Italy, a tutor from your host school will follow your progress, help you fit in the school and learn Italian. Local volunteers will provide additional Italian lessons for the first two or three months of your stay.

Food is a source of pleasure and enjoyment for Italians, who like to enjoy lunch in the company of family and friends. Be prepared for generous portions, strong coffee and tasty treats. Fantastic bread and cheeses, and incomparable pizza and pasta are staples of this cuisine, accompanied by seafood, meat and fresh vegetables. For dessert, there’s a broad selection of traditional pastries, including tiramisu, a rich cake whose name means “pull me up” because of how satisfied and full it makes you feel.