Italian-bred Senior Experiences American Culture First-Hand with Exchange Partnership
Launch the media gallery 1 playerWhen I think of Italy, I think of Olive Garden. However, when Nicole Bonsignore was taken to Olive Garden, she said it was nowhere close to the real Italian food she is used to.
Nicole Bonsignore, Saint Francis senior, is a foreign exchange student from Casalromano, Italy.
Bonsignore came to Saint Francis, Kan., at the beginning of the school year to attend her senior year. Bonsignore said she was excited to come to Saint Francis Community High School. One reason for her excitement was because of all the stories she heard about other kids coming to America. She is also excited she will get two diplomas, one from America and another from her school in Italy after she goes back and attends one more year of school there.
Bonsignore is an ordinary girl in a different world with different people. Bonsignore said she isn’t used to how intense we Saint Francis sports players are. “I don’t really know many people, but everyone was polite and nice to me,” said Bonsignore.
Back in Italy, Bonsignore played volleyball and danced. Bonsignore danced contemporary modern dance. During school, she also played volleyball year-round with only two practices a week. Bonsignore played middle front in Italy. Bonsignore said she loves volleyball because her mom played it and she wants to be like her mom on the court. Bonsignore said that her mom always loved the sport, and that she always supports Bonsignore even if she is in America. Bonsignore also said she loves how encouraging her teammates are, even if she makes a mistake.
“She’s very fun to be around,” said Audrey Meyer, Saint Francis freshman and host family member for Bonsignore. “I enjoy having someone older living in the house with me,” said Meyer. “It’s definitely a change, and there is a lot of new excitement. She's very intelligent, so she has been able to assist me with homework and other experiences that I usually ask my parents about. I think they’re glad that I have someone to share complications with at school, which I have not been able to do with Aiden, my eight year younger sibling, because of the large age difference.”
Bryce Culwell, Saint Francis sophomore, said Bonsignore is always laughing and smiling. “She’s funny and has a good sense of humor,” he said.
Bonsignore said leaving her family and friends was the hardest part even though she hasn’t left them forever. She will return to Italy at the end of the school year. Bonsignore said, “I will miss Saint Francis when I will return in Italy.”
