Italian school vs. American school

I finished my first week of high school in Italy. YES! Ok quick compare and contrast between American school and Italian school. Let's go. Andiamo.

As I mentioned before, I take 10 classes: Italian, English, German, Spanish, Philosophy, Math, Physics,  Religious Studies, History of Art, and Gym. It sounds like a lot but it really isn't. We have school from 8:00am-1:30pm. On Tuesday's I stay until 4:30 for two hours of Religious Studies. On Saturday's we have school. At 1:30 I go home and have lunch with my family. If I stay at school after 1:30, I buy pizza or a snack or something at the "bar" there is no cafeteria. Or, if I start to fall asleep in class,  I go to the bar for coffee. Last week I got so hungry during class because I'm used to have lunch around 11 so I'd also buy M&Ms. This week I'm slightly more adjusted to a later lunch.

Total hours of school per week
In Italia: 33
In America: 35

Math:
Italia = 33 = 5 hours a day times 6 plus 3 extra hours on Tuesday
America = 35 = ~7 hours/day times 5 days a week

In Italy there are no study halls or free periods. We have a break at 10:50 for about 15 minutes. Everyone goes outside to smoke even when it is freezing cold. Also - we don't switch classes. The teachers come to the class and I'm with the same students everyday. I'm in class 4B. Everyone is incredibly nice and friendly towards me I'm very lucky. I feel so accepted. I love it.

Ok. Other differences between American school and Italian school.

There are very few activities in Italian schools. On Fridays I go to choir (Hunnex are you reading this?!) and twice a month there is a meeting for the newspaper. No basketball games. No Players. The students come to school to learn for 5 hours a day and afterwards they leave to study. It's very simple. I don't think either way of doing things is better. On one hand, I liked having Players to look foward to after school. School actitivies make it easy for students to develop a community with other people who share their same interests. It's easy to feel like part of a team quickly....leadership skills... other gross things... but, I also really like leaving school at 1:30. I like having lunch with my family. I like having my afternoon free to study and go out with friends. I don't feel bored or restless like I would between shows.

The atmosphere here is very relaxed. People stop and talk to one another. Wherever we go, my Italian mother sees someone she knows or makes a new friend. At first I would get annoyed at how long it takes us to do something simple like buy a loaf of bread, but I feel myself slowly developing patience. I want to adjust to the Italian attitude of time.

I still struggle in class to understand half of what is being said. It's frusturating because the initial excitement of my arrival has definitely worn off on those around me. My classmates need to pay attention to the teacher, they cannot constantly translate for me. And they shouldn't have to. One day soon I will speak fluent Italian and everything will be easy. For now, it is the biggest challenge I've ever faced.

I'm physically and mentally exhausted, yet still have trouble sleeping soundly through the night. The language barrier makes a simple question take 45 minutes to answer. I can't easily make conversation with people - only those who speak English. I can't even make my own plans after school. Everything must be organized by others. I feel a little invalid as a human being. Not gonna lie. This is difficult.

But not impossible. I know I'm going to be ok. I make lists. I breathe. I remember how lucky I am. And I study Italian a little harder. My host family is incredibly supportive and sweet. Whenever I look sad or confused Ludovica sings "Don't Worry, Be Happy" or kisses my cheek. My host parents always ask about how I'm feeling and school and how they can help. I don't know how it's possible to feel at home with people so quickly but I do. Ah Italy.

OK I HOPE EVERYONE FEELS UPDATED. I'll add some pictures of Fermo later for those of you who don't like to read. Luv y'all. Ciao.