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This blog is created for the project Kanepi-Saluzzo - Estonia-Italy to disseminate the emotions, feelings, experience of different cultures, education and share experience in visiting both countries.

Differences between German and Italian students by Koit

I have participated in two student exchanges. On 4^th till 10^th April 2014 we had a student exchange with Evangelisches Gymnasium from Werther, Germany. 

The second exchange was with Italians. They came here on the 26^th of March 2015 and stayed for 5 days.  They were from the school Liceo G. B. Bodoni di Saluzzo.

There are three aspects from which you can see the differences between Italians and Germans.

Firstly, Italians were very happy and enthusiastic all the time. When they were together then they sang and talked a lot. It seemed like they did not care or notice what was going on around them. They were very open and wanted to communicate. With Germans all this was different. They were quieter and not so open. For some Germans it took a little time to warm up and when they felt comfortable they started to be more sociable. 

Secondly, there was a noticeable difference in how good were their English speaking skills. Germans had a much better level of English. They had good grammar and spoke fluently. Only on rare occasions they didn’t remember some words that they wanted to say but then they just explained differently. Italians had a bit lower level in English but what they lack in grammar or vocabulary, they made up with a desire to communicate.

Finally, Italians were not as tall as the Germans. This was most visible if you compare the heights of boys. German boys were all taller or at least around the same height as most Estonian boys. Italians, on the other hand, were shorter and older looking than Estonians with few exceptions. 

To sum up, Italians were more open and friendlier when compared to Germans. In comparison, Germans spoke better English. Despite the differences I had fun hosting all of them and really enjoyed both exchanges.

Exchanging some students... in Estonia (27.03.-31.03.2015)

In the late hours following our usual and uneventful school day on Thursday we had the pleasure of welcoming the guests from Italy that had arrived in the middle of the night during the first hours of Friday. As most if not all of the people tied with the exchange project had gathered in the courtyard of Kanepi Gymnasium to greet the Italians, we were all very anxious to meet the people that would be a part of our lives for the next five days. The small bus arrived in the courtyard, soon to be followed by a mass of Estonians coming to say their first personal "Hello"-s and "Hi"-s to them. I was to house Andrea Garrone, who was very friendly, though shy at first glance. When our students and teachers met up with their corresponding guests, they quickly took them to their homes to have them rest up for the night, for the following day was to be long and eventful.

The first day, Friday, was all about Räpina as we proceeded with the same procedure that we did with the Germans a year before. First we gathered in Kanepi to get on our bus, which we then drove to Räpina. Though the weather wasn’t looking good for us, we didn’t let it bother us too much. On the way there we noticed a considerable characteristic regarding our guests: they were really friendly and very talkative! It wasn’t long until the whole bus was filled with various sounds from all the chatter that came from the students of both schools. It was a good way to practise English as well! When we first arrived in Räpina, we gathered in front of the ceramics house, taking a quick group picture, and going inside the building to be divided into three smaller groups that started to do different activities: painting glass, crafting boxes or making items out of clay. The handicraft workshops were fun and improved our cooperation skills with the guests. Soon after we gathered in front of the ceramics building again to take part in a tour of the Räpina manor, a historical building highly valued in the town. Having delved into Estonian history, we took a short yet refreshing walk in the park to make our way to the Räpina School of Horticulture. From there we carried on to the paper mill and saw how used material gets made into new and usable paper again. As we finished the tour, we went back on the bus to drive back to Kanepi and proceed with our own activities planned for the guests.

Glass painting in Räpina

On Saturday, the Italians along with a few of our students and teachers paid a visit to the Estonian Road Museum, in which our guests got some insight to the history and present day condition of Estonian traffic system, roads, and vehicles driving the streets and roads in Estonia. After coming back to Kanepi the guests were free to do whatever they wished to do but they mostly followed their hosts wherever they went. Some of the places the Estonian students took their guests were the ASRT Headquarters in Kanepi (the place where Meelis, Fabio, Andrea and I went) and the tower of Mountain Suur Munamägi. I, along with Meelis and our corresponding guests went to my place where we played a lot on my PlayStation 3 console. Also, a part of the plan was one of our host’s, Koit’s, birthday party, during which most of the exchange students went with their hosts and where the attendants bonded really well and warmed up against each other.

Andrea (with Fabio in the background) in the ASRT headquarters

We continued the exploration tour of Estonia on Sunday as the majority of us visited the AHHAA Science Centre along with our guests. The visit there was fun for our awesome guests as they tried out everything connected to science and though the centre was familiar to us, we enjoyed the tour with them as well. Having visited AHHAA, we continued the stay in Tartu by taking our guests to restaurant ‘Taverna’ where the Italians had the privilege of tasting Estonian pizzas. After we finished eating, we made our way to Lõunakeskus to show the Italians AHHAA’s very own 4D cinema. The experience there was quite vivid for us, full of spooky scary skeletons that sent shivers down our spines! Next we went climbing to the adventure park over the ice skating rink, many of us having no fear of heights and (possible) injuries. Not that any serious injuries were received there, of course. If there was any shopping to do after the climbing course, then it was the time to do it. Though, those who were tired and had their fun started going home, such as Andrea and I along with Meelis and Fabio.

Alberto and Giovanni climbing in AHHAA

Monday was the day when the Italians were introduced to Kanepi Gymnasium. The guests took part in our daily school life, including classes and lunch. Sometime after having lunch we played a friendly football match against our guests, even one of their teachers took part in the game! The battle ended with a win for the home team, although our guests were awarded for their skilful opposition, after which we took a group picture. The day ended with a return back to the hosts’ homes where we prepared ourselves for the party at the school. Having gathered in the school, we introduced the evening’s programme and listened to a few speeches by teachers from both schools, after which entertained our guests by encouraging them to take part in various competitive activities, such as group skiing and obstacle course in a sumo costume. The rest of the evening was followed by our own performances, including folk dance, which we also taught to them, and a few other dances by the dance group ‘Efect’ and the 12^th grade, re-enacting the song ‘Summer Nights’ from the ‘Grease’ musical. After the official programme was over, we all danced to the music and had a good time.

Competitive group skiing in Kanepi Gymnasium

The last day was unfortunately a short one for us as we had to say goodbye to our very dear and friendly guests who we now know as our good friends. Their departure in the morning was met with much emotion from both sides but also gratitude from them for our hospitality and possibility to stay in Estonia with us. Even though we wanted to live through more together, they had to leave. Although we were all saddened by their departure, we still held a tiny spark of happiness in us, for the visit to Italy was approaching soon and right now we simply cannot wait to go there ourselves!

Thank you all for coming to Estonia!!

Students' exchange, Merit

Okey, I’m going to write about the students’ Exchange with Italians. It was in the end of March… Everybody was so excited about this project. 

 I hosted very interesting and shy (AT FIRST) girl. Her name was Ionela. We were quite similar.  Actually she was very beautiful and very short. 

Let's talk about the beginning.The Italians arrived at the night of 26th of March. Me, and my family were so excited, because that was a new experience for all. And my best friend Laura was so kind and helped our family. She's like a our family member and we were very happy about it.Laura, Ionela and me

Friday was very busy. We went to Räpina tour and there we spent about half of the day. That was very funny and everyone liked there. In the evening one Italian girl Andrea Aurora came to us. We had very fun time, we looked around our home and talked very much about estonian traditions and about Estonians. When Andrea lefted we talked with girls very long time.

My friend Laura talks on her post about Saturday.

On Sunday we went to Tartu. We visited science centre Ahhaa with all the group. And there we spent about few hours. It seemed that Italians liked that much. 

After we made a little tour in Tartu… We saw  Tartus University and old town/ Town Hall Square. Then we went to Lõunakeskus for eat and shop.

Ionela in Tartu

On Monday we had schoolday and lessons. After was football match. In the evening was very funny but sad party before they were leaving.

On Tuesday they left from Estonia. Most of Estonians cried and everyone were sad. 

That exchange was very important for all of us and I think we all enjoyed it.

Students' exchange written by Laura, Saturday

So, I am going to write about the Exchange in my school. It was in March and many Italian students came to Estonia. I wasn’t hosting anybody but my best friend Merit was hosting one shy beautiful girl called Ionela Mucilenita. As I wanted to take part of it but I couldn’t host anyone, I  helped Merit.
 Our English teacher offered me a change to meet the Italians first. She told me that I can go to airport and take Italians home. Of course I accepted that kind of "challenge". On the 26th March I went to Tallinn's airport and  On Saturday we went to Estonian Road museum (Maanteemuuseum). Merit couldn’t come with us because she had a song contest that's why we went just with Ionela. So in the museum there was many attractions and old vehicles. Everybody enjoyed it very much. Even the bad weather couldn't get their moods down.  When we got home we picked up Merit and as everybody were very hungry we went to Pizza Olive restaurant with Merit’s family and Ionela, of course. People in the restaurant were very surprised when we came in with Italian. She taught us how to eat pizza like real Italians so we had to put away our forks and knifes and eat with hands. Ionela said that in Italia they always eat pizza with hands. Actually she started laughing when we got our forks and knifes... After pizza we all got to take little paper where was our own tip of a day. Mine was: "Kadedus on ajaraisk. Sul on juba kõik mida sa vajad." ("Jealousy is the waste of time. You already got all you need.") And believe it or not. It was all true!
 When we got home took a little break and Ionela went to sleep. Me and Merit went upstairs. When Ionela woke up she came up too. We knew that there's Koit's birthday party soon but Ionela didn't know if she was invited. She was so sad about it and that's why we asked Koit and he agreed that Ionela can go to his party. Heloona was so nice and took Ionela up and brought her home too. When she came (about 2 AM) we were already sleeping and didn't hear her. We saw her again in the next morning :)

Merit, Ionela and me :)

Karel writes

I´m going to talk about our Italian-Estonian student exchange and more precisely about the day in our school.  First of all, I have to mention , that I really enjoyed this project and spending time with such awesome people. They were just so friendly and cheerful, that after their leaving I had quite unhappy and felt myself a little bit empty.

http://kanepig.edu.ee/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album740&id=It_009

So, the day in Kanepi Gümnaasium started with meeting in our ground floor. After that Estonians had two lessons and in the same time Italians had a tour in school with classy cake eating. After that we met our hosts again and went to the next three lessons. 

Our first lesson with Italians was history, there were two classes mixed together 11 and 12. We watched a movie about Estonian war of independence, the name of the movie was “Nimed marmortahvlil”. 

http://kanepig.edu.ee/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album740&id=It_013

After lessons it was time to play football. It was a bit cold and Italians were little underdressed but after the game started it started to get warmer. The game was interesting and hard. Italians played very well but the game ended like last year with Germans … Estonians won.

http://kanepig.edu.ee/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album740&id=It_078

 After playing football it was time to relax and have fun. In the evening there was a party at school. We played games, danced Estonian folk dances, competed in different activities, ate and socialised with each other. Party ended with a disco where we saw Alo’s great dancing skills.

http://kanepig.edu.ee/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album741&id=K_191

http://kanepig.edu.ee/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album741&id=K_334

http://kanepig.edu.ee/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album741&id=K_477

Deivi writes

On the 26^th of March Italians arrived to Kanepi. I hosted Francesca Calosso.

Ceramics workshop

The first day in here was very busy. We went to Räpina and I think they liked the time we had there.

After Räpina we went home to eat. We talked about what is happening in our school and our traditions. In the evening we went with a smaller group to sport pub which is located in Võru. There we watched football game Estonia vs Switzerland. In the first half-time when our team had very good chance to get a goal then some Italians cheered more loudly than us. And when the match was over we went back to home.

On Saturday we went to the Road Museum and after that we came back to Kanepi. In the House of Culture was song contest and we thought that we should go there. We were there for a short time. The Italians went outside earlier than us, so we went to look for them. At first we didn’t find them. We looked like everywhere and our only thought was like how they can be lost, like camoon it is Kanepi. We even called them but they didn’t answer and we yelled their names but luckily they heard us. After the scary moment we went to Võru again, but this time we visited the highest point of Estonia. It was pretty awesome. Then we came back home. We ate, talked and dressed up for the Koit’s birthday party.

On Sunday we were very tired but it didn’t matter, we went to Tartu and visited Ahhaa science centre and Lõunakeskus.

On Monday we had school and after that we played football. Our only thought was that we are going to lose this game but surprisingly we won.

Football

In the evening we had school party, where we played some games and danced. After the party we went home and talked and talked. I told Francesca everything like what dramas we had in class and at school. 

And to sum up, it was very enjoyable day. Last morning was very sad, some of us even cried. And I look forward to go to Italy and see them again.