Junior Asia Segattini is a foreign exchange student from Verona, Italy. This school year is her first time visiting the U.S.

At a Glance

Favorite food: Spaghetti

Favorite thing to do in Texas: Go to Six Flags

Something you can’t live without: Music

Favorite book: Paper Towns by John Green

Favorite place to eat in Texas: Whataburger

Looking Deeper

The Red Ledger: Why did you decide to become a foreign exchange student?

Asia Segattini: English has always been my favorite foreign language, and being able to speak it and understand it without any problem has always been one of my goals. At one point, I realized staying in Italy to learn the English that they teach in school it wasn’t enough, so I decided to become an exchange student and come to America. I also love traveling, and this is one of the reasons why I decided to do this.

TRL: What was the process of becoming a foreign exchange student like?

AS: I applied to become an exchange student last December. I had to take an exam to see if my English was good enough. Then, I had to complete an application where I had to write everything about me, and I had to record a video and write a letter for my host family. This is something that helps the association find the perfect host family for you. It’s a process that requires a lot of time, but it’s worth it.

TRL: How has it been living with your host family?

AS: Living with a host family has been crazy. It’s amazing how you can become a part of a family that is not yours in such a short time. One of my host sisters also attends Lovejoy, and she is like a sister to me.

TRL: What do you miss most about Italy?

AS: I miss my daily life. I miss coming back home after school and having my grandmother prepare a delicious lunch for me and my sister. I miss walking in the streets of my city and seeing all the little shops and restaurants. I miss taking the bus with my friends on our way to school. I miss all these little daily things that, for me, were routine.

TRL: What is the biggest difference you’ve found between the U.S. and Italy?

AS: The biggest difference I’ve found is that, here, if you don’t live in the city and you don’t have a car, you can’t go anywhere. In Italy, I used to get out of school and go for a walk in the city centre or go and have lunch with my friends without the need of a car or a bus. This is something I really miss.

TRL: Is there a specific class in the district that you particularly enjoy?

AS: I really do love my choir class. The teachers are just amazing and so supportive. Music has such an important role in my life and to have a period at school that I can dedicate completely to the music is the best thing ever for me.

TRL: Would you ever participate in a foreign exchange program again in the future?

AS: I really would like to. My host sisters want me to stay with them again next year, and they don’t want me to leave. This really warms my heart, but I do miss my family and friends, I do miss my city and I do miss everything that I left in Verona.