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Published: September 29th 2014
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The castle close to where I live. I have been here less than a week, and find that I am reminding myself often of that. I am going through some culture shock and American withdrawals in my first few days of being Italy. I think many Americans have the stereotype that Italians may be fatter because they eat so many carbohydrates. This stereotype is very much a steretype... the only fat Italian I have seen is a young infant and that is normal. The Italain culture focuses on portion control and snacking is 'out of the norm.' It sounds bizarre but this is one culture difference that my body will not adapt to so easily. For those of you who know me well enough, you know that I like to snack often. My snacks are healthy (proteins, vegetables, fruits and good fats.) My host family finds it shocking that I snack and like to eat omelette a for breakfast. As I mentioned in a previous blog, a 'normal' breakfast here is a piece of toast with Nutella spread along with coffee on the side. I explained to Francessca my host mother that I normally make myself an omelette with vegetables and tofu for breakfast so she was so
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My first night with the host family...celebrating Susannas 19th birthday kind, and went to the supermarket for my normal american breakfast Ingridients. They are so shocked to hear I eat 4 eggs each morning! I remind them not all Americans do this..... I am an exception.
Either way, a piece of toast for breakfast simply was not sustainable for my stomach! EspeciLly when the next meal of the day is not until 1230-1 pm. Speaking of lunch, many ItAlain students are able to leave school and go home for lunch or go to a local 'bar' for lunch. Here, a 'bar' is a place to eat...not a location to drink alcohol! Francessca, who is my host mom and also one teacher who I work with, went out for lunch in between lessons.
School in Italy is a huge culture shock for mr as well. In Italy, class of students stays together through middle school and high school. There are around 25 to 30 students who stay together for all of those school years. The class stays in one 'home room' for the day while the teacher comes into the room. teachers change rooms, not the students. I am working with students aged 11 to 13. I travel between
two different schools during my day and I work witha 3 different teachers. Confused? I was too, and I remind myself this is learning experience and only the first day. I will adapt and understand soon enough. Since it was the first day of school for me, the Italian students asked me questions. For some of the students this is their first year with conversational English so they were only able to ask simple questions 'what is your favorite color?' 'What is your favorite sport?' Etc. One Italian student asked me if I was familiar with a Timberwolf player.....Kevin Love. I know very little about him however this student seemed exstatic over him! I hope I do not dissapoint the Italian student too much with my lack of knowledge in American sports.
Overall,mthe first day was like any first day of a new job....learning curve, confsed, and trying to understand what my role will be. It seems like mostly it will of course to be conversing with the students as much as possible and I'll do some lessons as well. Taking it day by day! I have been thoroughly enjoying my time here thanks so much to my host family. They have made me feel more welcome than I ever expected and am so grateful for that! I also feel extremely luck with the location in which they live, as it is right it the city center oF Turin and have kids close to my age. Blessed and grateful to be placed with such a wonderful family!
I am off to eat dinner now, at 830 pm....because well, that is a normal hour to eat dinner here. Ah! Again, adjusting and culture shock in action.
Ciao and Amore.
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Larry
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Kevin Love now plays for the Cleveland Cavilers, along with LeBron James (who use to play for Miami). Tell your student!