Ciao, Paolo

This week we farewell our Year 11 Exchange Student, Paolo Genta, who has been with us since the beginning of this year. Paolo assimilated into our school community with ease, completing a range of V.C.E. subjects while also participating in a range of activities we hope gave him a broad experience of Australia and our way of life.

We asked Paolo to give us some insight into his experience.

What are the most significant differences between your life in Italy and what you have experienced here in Beaufort?

There are many differences between my life in Beaufort and back in Italy. The greatest one I’ve personally experienced is sport. Coming from a place where many teens give up on after school activities because of homework, I was happily surprised to take part in a community where physical activity is very frequent. Not only thanks to the local footy and netball clubs, who have a huge involvement, but also swimming and athletics carnivals, on top of all the other competitions that the school offers, were a great way for me to start enjoying sport.

What will you miss when you head back home?

I will definitely miss all the people that I’ve met, school and the oval, - all have been fundamental in this experience. I will also miss the colourful sunsets, Beaufort’s lake and the beautiful wildlife that never stopped amusing me, on top of playing footy, surfing and hanging out in Melbourne. I also loved caramel slices, chai latte and pies!

What are you most looking forward to when you return?

Oh so many things! Obviously family, friends, my house and the food. I’m looking forward to spending my first days in the front yard eating fresh food with everyone complaining about the 35 degrees, before having an ‘aperitivo’ with my friends and going clubbing; all of this while speaking Italian. I miss my language so much!

What has been the highlight of your time here?

If I had to choose a highlight it would be surfing. Since it’s impossible to surf in Italy, I was really keen to try it here and it was amazing! Particularly, the feeling of rushing on the board after catching a wave, while looking around and seeing everyone else standing as well: it is magical!

Do you have any advice for students considering an exchange (or even just travelling to another country?)

My main advice for students considering travel would be to always say yes. I am so grateful for all the excursions I took part in at school and for joining Beaufort’s footy club. I also find it vital to keep a positive mindset: being on the other side of the world, immersed in a different culture and missing out on everything back home is a big adventure and reminding yourself that it is temporary, exciting and helpful to grow as a person, is very important!

What will life look like for you when you arrive back home?

When I arrive back home, I’ll experience “La Dolce Vita”.  I’ll relax most days eating gelato while strolling around the town with my friends, and the family trip to southern France is the cherry on top!  Then, after the first month, I must get back on track, getting ready for my school catch-up to be admitted into the last year of school and studying for my driver’s license. 

We thank Paolo for being such a positive and enthusiastic member of our school community. It has been a wonderful experience for us to have a student from Italy with us and we hope it is not the last time we see Paolo – perhaps a visit to Italy is on the cards!