Paolo (It)

Paolo from Italy has stayed here from August 2016 through July 2017.

Hey future exchange student!

I am Paolo and I’ve been with Tonnis and Ignace for 11 months!

If you are reading this presentation, it is probably because you’ve been chosen by Tonnis and Ignace and you want to know more about the family, the house, the life here etc. etc…, so let’s begin!

In the house there is always an open atmosphere, you can share your feelings and emotions, either you are happy or sad, and if you have a problem you will always find a solution to fix it, you just have to be communicative and express yourself! Tonnis and Ignace have been hosting exchange since 5 years, they know how to deal with the most extravagant situations thanks to their big experience; I suggest you to be curious and to share your personality, you have to be yourself.

A good way to spend your time is doing a sport, I am now playing football in Winsum and it is really good, at the same time I improve my Dutch, I make new friends and it keeps me fit! Of course you can do other sport such as join Ignace to do karate, he will surely appreciate that ;)

I go to school to Het Hogeland College in Warffum, which is 9.6 km far from Mensingeweer, and I cycle everyday to get there; the school was renovated just 3 years ago, so it is really beautiful and modern, as well as the teachers, really available as regards your first months here, in which you will surely encounter some difficulties, but with effort and dedication there is nothing you can not overcome!

I suggest you to study the language as much as possible before coming here: I know that Dutch is not easy , but the more you will know, the easier your first weeks here will be!

You will be asked to help Tonnis and Ignace once a week, but it’s always something which take you just half an hour, and if you come in the first semester you will probably help Tonnis with picking up the apples, which is really funny! Last but not least, the house and the garden are very big and quiet, two things that if you come from a busy zone you will surely appreciate!

I am now at the end of my experience and I would like to give you some tips which could be useful for you.. the first period is always difficult because you’ll be living a cultural shock, you don’t know many people and you don’t talk Dutch but you have to be as active as possible, always try to join a conversation and always show interest, your schoolmates will find it good and they will be more likely to interact with you and it will boost your confidence; another tip is trying to be a little crazy and not always too serious, you don’t want people to think that you’re boring, always show a friendly attitude! When I started to do so I gained new friends and this year has been the best experience I have ever been through; I can say that Tonnis and Ignace gave me everything to succeed, with a perfect mix of freedom and family life, as well as taking me to vacation on various places and exploring the Gronings landscapes, which I’ll always have on my heart!

I hope you will have a good time with them, if you have any question feel free to contact me: calabresepaolo99@gmail.com, I speak Italian, English and French!