Deputy Principal

Italian Study Tour - Connection

During the last week of Term 1 and over the holiday break I was fortunate enough to travel with twenty-nine students and three other staff to Italy for a cultural language tour. 

Having not been to Europe since 1997, so much has changed yet so much is still the same. What struck me the most is that when you walk down the streets of Sydney, Milan, Venice, Florence, or Rome, at the end of the day we all live in a global community. For the most part we live in multicultural cities which enrich our lives. I would argue that the Italians certainly dress better than we do here in Australia - they are a lot more formal and fashionable. 

Culturally, they go out more than us, our young men did struggle a bit with not going to bed until midnight on a school night. However, what they lost in sleep, they gained in an understanding of a culture that continues to be founded in connection.  

Connection is key to our existence. Feeling a part of something enhances our wellbeing. What connected our young men to the people of Italy was their ability to speak Italian and continue to hone their speaking skills. While we are a connected global community, I realised as the only non-Italian speaker on tour, the importance of speaking another language. 

Yes, I navigated through Italy without really speaking a word of Italian and I loved meeting people, eating amazing food (especially the gelato in Reggio), and exploring the rich history of Italy, however, I actually missed out on a lot.

There is a significant difference between being a tourist with no ability to speak the language of a country and being a tourist who understands the language. I cannot stress enough after experiencing our young men converse with the locals, being able to order food as well as them being much more self-aware as they understood everything that was going on around them, how important studying a language is for everyone. While it is compulsory for students to study a language in Stages 3 and 4, I admire these young men for pursuing further study in language as it makes them more well-rounded global citizens.

The power of language really ensured that our young men really connected with the Italian people. Speaking a second language is a blessing that I encourage everyone, if they have the opportunity, to continue to study a language as it is a tool that will hold them in good stead for the rest of their lives.

Adrian Byrne

Deputy Principal