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Study Abroad in Reggio Emilia - Early Childhood Education, College of Charleston

The experience of living with a host family, shadowing teachers, and attending Italian courses, has opened my eyes in ways I didn’t know possible. Whilst living with Marzia, the host mom, I found out that communication (with a bit of assistance from translating apps) and patience is key. I witnessed the difference between what we are used to in the States and what the people in Italy are used to. It’s very different, but also very similar too. I learned the importance of building relationships with locals and the cultures overall. During my time in the schools of Reggio Emilia, I met the most inspiring teachers and students. I found ways to communicate and enjoy each other’s company. As an example, a young student, Lina, helped me learn how to count to one hundred in Italian, so we played games that required me to practice my counting. It was a surreal experience, and that alone made my day. All of this wouldn’t have been possible without a few hours of Italian courses at Reggio Lingua school, of course. Every person I met while in Italy played a very vital role in developing my love for the country and its every-growing cultures. I say ever-growing cultures because there isn’t just one culture here in Italy. There are many. The best example of this can be found in the schools, at the very heart of Reggio Emilia. Students in these schools are from all around the world: Ukraine, Morocco, Ghana, Egypt, Albania, Georgia, Pakistan, you name it. I observed a classroom, of which there was 1 Italian, out of the 17 students in the class. When the teachers had told me their school was very multicultural, they meant it. I hadn’t seen anything like it before, it was incredible. As the principal of the schools in Reggio Emilia said, “Having an educated mind is having an open and culturally diverse mind.” I will be forever grateful for the experience of this study abroad program organized by Reggio Lingua in Reggio Emilia and for the love of culture it helped me develop.