Italian exchange student answers questions about time at Northern
Foreign exchange student Senior Saverio Annunziata uprooted his whole life in Italy to come to Durham, North Carolina, to study at Northern. Here he answers a few questions on his experience so far.
Morgan Gibson: How does the foreign exchange policy work?
Saverio Annunziata: I personally contacted the association and they performed all of the necessary tests needed. For example looking into my grades and seeing if I knew the language well enough.
MG: Why did you decide to enroll in this program?
SA: Many people say that it is the best way to master a new language. And it is also fun to do especially when you are young because you can see different school systems while immersing yourself in a different culture.
MG: Was it a hard decision to make?
SA: Yes it was very hard because you do not know what your host family is going to be like. It is basically an adventure, you do not know what you are going to get.
MG: What part of Italy are you from?
SA: I am from the south of Italy, from Naples.
MG: What has been your favorite part of America so far?
SA: Freedom. Everything that you do people do not look at you strangely or treat you like a stranger.
MG: What is your least favorite part?
SA: Guns, I am scared of them. I have never met anybody before, especially younger people, who have guns. And when we had that lockdown drill it was something I have never had to do before, the first time I was just very confused and did not know what was going on.
MG: What is your first impression of Northern?
SA: It is very different from where I am from. It is bigger, it is organized, teachers are really open and tolerant. For instance, if I ask them to repeat or I do not understand they are very helpful to me and never upset with me. I also like how everyone comes into the class and we start off by everyone sharing good things that have happened in their week, or the Knights Charge being something that we already know and just to refresh our minds at the start of the class.
MG: How has the being apart of the wrestling team affected your time here?
SA: I usually practice Martial Arts, so wrestling was the sport most like what I do in Italy. But the wrestling program here is really excellent, they are all really strong. I do not know why everyone is always talking about the football and the basketball because the wrestling team is very good. I have gone 4-0 in all of my matches and that is the same for most of the wrestlers. And the coaches are fantastic. The senior night was really cool because it was my first match but they still said my name and recognized me. I do not know why people do not talk about wrestling more.