Volunteering at an Italian High School

With my group! 

I had the privilege to go to an Italian high school to help them improve their conversational English.  The school we visited was called Liceo Artistico Leon Battista Alberti.  The school is divided into various campuses throughout Florence, each campus focusing on a specific subject.  This school that we visited in particular was the art school.  As soon as we walked in, we saw walls lined with artwork that had been done by the students.  Seeing all of this, made me wish that my high school had emphasized the fine arts a bit more.
Talking with the students, I was very surprised to find out their ages.  They ranged from as young as 14 years old to 18 years of age.  I never realized how distinct differences in age were in your physical appearance and level of maturity!  Even though they were very young, almost all of them smoked cigarettes!  They asked me to come with them during their 15 minute break to smoke a cigarette.  I don't smoke so I just went outside with them, tried my best to not cough, and continue talking with them.  For fun, high school students in Italy go out with their friends to the bars.  Before the recent change in the law, they could buy cigarettes and alcohol at 16.  They can also ride motorcycles (vespas) as early as 14!  Their faces dropped in disbelief when I told them that in America, you had to be 21 years old to buy alcohol. :P  I asked them what kind of music they listened to and they replied back with the names of American singers and bands.  From Bob Marley to Rihanna to Beyonce.  I asked them about Italian music and they said no one their age listened to Italian music.
Its crazy how different schools in Italy are compared to America!

Volunteering and Curry Lunch

Today, I had the wonderful opportunity to volunteer for a local Italian community service event.  The Italians definitely take keeping their environment clean much more seriously than Americans do.  Through my school, Lorenzo de' Medici (LdM), we were able to sign up to take part in Pulire il Monde, an event where local Italian non-profit organizations and schools come together to pick up trash and clean Cascine Park.  As soon as we arrived there, they clad us in cute little yellow aprons and hats, gave us brand new gloves, and trash bags.  We walked around the banks of the park picking up as many cigarette butts and other pieces of trash.  It was most definitely a rewarding experience.  There wasn't as big of a turn out, particularly on LdMs part as I was expecting there to be, but I have to say, when you get five dedicated people who are helping out on a Friday morning because they want to, not because they have to, you accomplish so much more.  They even had the local TV news anchors come out to film us picking up trash.  Let me repeat that, LOCAL TV NEWS ANCHORS CAME OUT TO FILM US PICKING UP TRASH!!!  Does this even happen in America??!

Don't we look cute in our yellow aprons, yellow hats, and with our yellow bags? :P

One of the girls getting interviewed! So jealous!

All the cigarette butts we picked up :/ 

What's the best way to reward yourself after doing something super rewarding?!?  EAT ASIAN FOOD!  Duh?!  I had been planning this event for a couple of days.  My mom had sent me a care package of oatmeal and curry and I wanted to invite some friends over and have a feast, since the PB&J  and ramen noodle diet is really doing us no good.  It was so much fun to hear everyone's stories, eat good food, and just enjoy everyone's company.  We've decided to officially make this a monthly thing (at the least).  Halloween, Thanksgiving, and a going-away dinner in December.  I'm excited to see how this semester plays out! c:  Mi piace Firenze!

Udon noodles, ramen, and curry~!

Melody, Sierra, Brianne, Jessi, Mahea, and Anna (from L to R)