Tag: Clarkson Public School Alumni

So I’ve been home about 2 weeks now after spending the most incredible time of my life in Florence, Italy. I’m glad to be home, but I can’t stop thinking about it and would go back tomorrow if it were possible.

Having time to reflect on my language camp experience I wanted to share a few ways I’ve changed since I’ve returned home.

Never Be Afraid

The number one way that this trip changed me as a person was that it made me braver. Even though I’ve wanted to take this trip since the minute I heard about it, I have to admit that the thought of flying to Europe alone was scary. But getting there and being there helped me realize how easy it was to ask for help, whether it be asking someone how to get somewhere, what a word means or asking for someone to go to the post office with me.

I used to be embarrassed to ask for help with anything because I didn’t want anyone to know I needed it. I know now that that is a silly fear. I mentioned in a previous blog that I got lost in Florence during my first week there. When I found my way home, I felt like a total boss. Knowing that I could be self-reliant and not crumble under pressure was amazing. This will definitely help me in life because suddenly, leaving home, meeting people, college & job interviews, etc. seem way less threatening.

BFFS PT. 2

I can now honestly say that I have friend in Italy, Spain, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Columbia and Great Britain.

When fifteen kids from different cultures meet, it’s a wonderful thing. We couldn’t be more different, each from different corners of the world, but we also couldn’t be more alike. We each share some common world views, ideas, and even senses of humor. Every single one of us wishes to explore the world just like the next one, and we all have the inexplicable need to venture out of our comfort zones.

It feels as though you’ve known each other your whole lives, even though I couldn’t tell you their middle names. We got to know each other so fast that we didn’t really have time to ask questions like that. Saying goodbye to them was actually one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I am so grateful I got to meet each and every one of them because without each individual sharing their ideas, and teaching the rest of us about their culture, the trip wouldn’t have been complete.

Home Sweet Home

I have to admit that being home since Florence has been a little hard. Although I was glad to see my family, friends and pets, my mind is still whirling with random memories. I find myself smiling often, thinking about a conversation or situation and then I am missing them all.

Not to mention that Italy is one of the most breathtaking countries in the world. And I wish everyone I know could see Florence just once. I love Nebraska, but now I feel like I need to have more than one ‘home’. And that is how I started to feel after my 2 weeks in Italy; like I was home.

I said it in my last blog and I’ll say it again: if you ever get the opportunity to travel, be a foreign exchange student, do a mission trip, etc., don’t hesitate. It will change your life and you will never view the world in the same way again. All I know is that I miss it so much, and would do it all again in a heartbeat.

Libby Crecco is 14 years old and lives in Clarkson, Nebraska. Her goal during her language program in Florence, Italy is to “learn as much about Italian culture as I hope to learn about the language.” Follow Libby’s adventure in Italy on her weekly blog post updates.

This week has been a hurricane of emotions, from wanting to go home really badly and then crying because I have to. There is nothing quite like traveling abroad. It’s the best thing ever, but be prepared for what it does to your insides.

Poor Kevin

One of my favorite things is learning strange things about another culture. Example: One German friend explained that getting called a ‘Kevin’ in Germany is an insult, to which all the other German students nodded in agreement, muttering things like “yes, no Kevin,” and “Kevin is a bad thing,” while my friend went on to say that a close English translation for Kevin might be ‘dumb***’. And since I met more German-speaking kids than any other, I also discovered that they seem to be born Type A (in a good way).

I saw them picking up empty water bottles in the park, making lots of lists, making sure everyone else’s water glass was always full when eating or taping every receipt for everything they bought into a journal. Another weird one (to me, anyway) is that every male in Italy wears Speedos at the pool. Every single one. No matter what their body looks like. I mean, #beconfident, right? Unfortunately, there are too many more to mention (I’ve been so tired this week I can’t even remember them), but I’ll have some good conversation starters for years to come.

BFFS R GR8

It is shocking how close a group of adolescent females can become in a matter of five days. I had to say goodbye yesterday, and suddenly said group of girls was blocking sidewalk traffic to partake in a massive group hug. There was a little crying involved; we don’t need to mention it. What I’m saying is, you will make some of the best friends you’ve ever had. You will share the same experiences, the same adventures, and even the same challenges.

From trying to force our tongues to make new sounds, to playing slightly inappropriate games of water bottle toss in the street, to pigging out at the design-your-own-ice-cream-bar Magnum Store every single day, not to mention Karaoke, late night walks, and shopping too long, these were the best two weeks of my life.

Pokemon Go and #TaylorSwiftisoverclub

Something inevitable about traveling abroad (and probably beneficial) is that I haven’t been able to keep up with the Kardashians, or anything else. I am just now finding out about Pokemon Go and Taylor Swift vs. Everyone. Stuff like that doesn’t really matter when you’re busy soaking up a whole other culture. Other inevitable things: so much walking, not nearly enough sleep, and occasional frustration.

But there are things on the other end of the spectrum as well, including: so many friends, so much knowledge, and so many sights to see. You’ll find that there are lots of things that can’t be helped, but if you can roll with the punches, it will all be worth it.

Daily Excursions

Attending a Greenheart Travel language camp in Florence means that I get to go on fun excursions every day, including visits to museums, landmarks, and even the weird pool (Speedos, see paragraph no. 2). These excursions give you the chance to become even closer to your new friends while seeing all kinds of interesting new things.

I do have one crucial piece of advice for you though; keep track of your personal belongings at all times. You don’t want to lose your money or passport, much less an expensive pair of Ray-Bans. Yeah, I had my sunglasses clipped to the outside of my book bag for, like, five seconds and they got stolen (maybe don’t bring expensive sunglasses), but that isn’t my point here.

What I’m talking about is that I have amazing activities planned for me every day! And during the weekend, there is always a day trip planned for both Saturday and Sunday. I was lucky enough to be there the weekend that a Cinque Terre trip was scheduled and have never seen a more beautiful place. I took some awesome pictures like the professional photographer I think I am, even though I was on the hardest hike I can remember.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: these two weeks have honestly been the best of my life, and it will be bittersweet to get on the plane to go home. My advice is to never be scared of what’s out there, and if there’s ever a chance to do something like this, then absolutely, positively, take that chance.

 

 

Libby Crecco is 14 years old and lives in Clarkson, Nebraska. Her goal during her language program in Florence, Italy is to “learn as much about Italian culture as I hope to learn about the language.” Follow Libby’s adventure in Italy on her weekly blog post updates.

 

Greenheart Travel is excited to send a group of amazing high school students to language camps overseas as part of our 2016 Travel Correspondent Scholarship awards. To help introduce our inspiring writers, we will be doing a series of spotlight interviews to help you get to know a little more about who they are, where they will be headed and what inspired them to learn a new language abroad.

Read on to meet 14-year-old, Libby Crecco, our Greenheart Travel Correspondent from Clarkson, Nebraska who’ll be traveling to Florence for her summer language camp in Italy!

Favorite thing to do in your free time?

I like to read, listen to music, exercise, spend time with my pets, hang out with my friends, play sports, and watch movies.

Have you traveled abroad before?

Yes. I was lucky enough to travel Italy for 10 days with my school’s travel club last summer. Major stops were Venice, Florence & Rome.

What got you interested in learning Italian and traveling abroad?

My dad is an over-the-road trucker and I started taking trips with him when I was a toddler. Traveling the U.S. with him got me used to meeting people and seeing new things and ever since then I’ve loved to explore new places.

What are you most excited about experiencing during your language camp?

I can’t wait to meet my host family and learn from them. I know there’s no better way to learn Italian customs, language and points-of-view than to live with an Italian family. I’m also excited to have more time to experience the art and architecture of Florence.

Why do you feel it’s important to travel to a new place and learn a new language?

Lack of understanding, racism, and fear of the unknown are some of the biggest problems in this world right now. By not being afraid to travel, I think I can be an example for others and, hopefully, a teacher.

What are you nervous about?

I am most nervous about the thing I’m most excited about. I think staying with a host family will be one of the best things about this trip, but I am nervous about making mistakes and not being able to understand them.

How well do you speak Italian at this point?

I take Spanish at school and could probably find a bathroom and food in Spain.  I have been studying Italian with Rosetta Stone and I am not too good yet. I think living with my host family and taking classes with a native speaker will a great improvement on that.

How do you think you will change the most during your time abroad?

I think I’ll change most in ways I can’t imagine or expect, but if I had to guess, I think it will make me pay more attention to how and why we do the things we do at home. I know I will be doing a lot of comparing and contrasting and probably asking a lot of questions.

 

 

Libby Crecco is 14 years old and lives in Clarkson, Nebraska. Her goal during her language program in Florence, Italy is to “learn as much about Italian culture as I hope to learn about the language.” Follow Libby’s adventure in Italy on her weekly blog post updates.