Robyn Ware

Posing with freshman Pryce Ware before the homecoming dance. On Oct. 14., Davide and Pryce both went to homecoming for the first time in their lives. “It was strange because it was the first and last time in my life and we don”t have anything like that in Italy,” Grimoldi said.

Searching for a new life and new culture, 18-year-old Davide Grimoldi crossed an ocean to experience life as an American teen.

Grimoldi has lived in Milan, Italy his entire life, and arrived in the United States in August. Grimoldi is a part of the AFS intercultural program and will attend school in the United States through the end of May.

“The first few days was difficult because I couldn’t understand everything. My English was really bad, so it was very difficult to communicate. Now, I been here for five months and people have helped me, so it’s easier,” Grimoldi said.

Despite the language barrier, Grimoldi is adjusting to a new way of life, from a different meal schedules to American cuisine. “I used to eat meals in different times. I ate lunch at 1:30 p.m. after school and dinner at 8:30 p.m., but now it’s different. I have dinner at 6 p.m. My body had to understand to eat at different times,” Grimoldi said.

In addition to acclimating to new schedules, Grimoldi is also getting accustomed to the American school system. School in Italy is shorter, only from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.t, but includes going on Saturday.

“In Italy, we choose the school, but we don’t choose the classes.  Around January or February during your last middle school year, everyone has to choose a school. If you want to study science you should go to a scientific school and etc. We can’t choose the classes because every school has standard classes. Teachers come to class and we stay in the same room. We have five hours every day, and school on Saturday, and we have a five-year high school. We also have the same classmates for five years,” Grimoldi said.

The most striking difference between American and Italian schooling according to Grimoldi is the open relationship between students and teachers.

“Teachers and students don’t have a relationship. Teachers don’t help you after school, and they don’t communicate with students very much. Italian school is much harder and you have to study five hours in the afternoon after school to keep up,” Grimoldi said.

Despite the numerous cultural obstacles, new friends have come alongside Grimoldi and aided him in his entry to the American way of life.

“I make my friends with the [soccer] team. I didn’t introduce myself to anybody, but they introduced themselves to me. It’s the opposite in Italy. I have to introduce myself to others or no one will talk to me. People here are nice to meet and everything, so I like it here,” Grimoldi said.

A major tradition of the average American high school is the annual homecoming dance, and Grimoldi was eager to attend the event.

“It was strange because it was the first and last time in my life, and we don’t have anything like that in Italy. The atmosphere was very comfortable and the music and the friends was good,”

Grimoldi attended homecoming with freshman Pryce Ware.

“It was exciting to experience my first homecoming with someone who hadn’t been either. We both didn’t know what to expect, but it ended up being a night I’ll never forget,” Pryce said.

Grimoldi plans to stay in America until the end of June when he will return home to Italy.

“I have liked it so far,” Grimoldi said. “I left all my friends and my family to go to a place, alone, 8,000 kilometers away from anyone I know, and a place where no one knows me, and I still have liked it.”