05/27/2026

Dear reader, 

today my Italian family and I went to the piazza and spent time walking around, window shopping, and even went inside the public library. My Italian mom has been saying how she really wanted to go, and we finally made time to go. I found so many similarities between Carpi's public libraries and KCKPL/LPL/JCPL. 

Somehow, no matter where you are, libraries all have the same common goal, which is the idea that knowledge and lifelong learning are so important that it is made free and accessible. Carpi's public library has three floors, only one for group studying. All of the sections were clearly labeled, there are many studying and reading spots, and even a "cinema" room where you can access a TV with headphones to watch the DVD you checked out. I think this is absolutely amazing, and I think more libraries and community centers should have this because TV's and streaming apps are expensive. 

The biggest difference I noticed between Carpi and KS public libraries is how they are segregated based on reading level. Carpi has a separate building for their children's library, which is beautiful, but it definitely unintentionally excludes people... for instance, what if I have a friend who I want to go to the library with, but even though she is 16, she reads at a 3rd-grade level... she would definitely feel some big feelings having to go to the children's library and not the adult library to find a book she can read. I am sure I could think of 50 other scenarios where having a separate building for children's versus adult library is not as accessible as we would think. 

I also recognize that Carpi is very, very old and that the buildings were pre-existing, so finding a space that can hold both children's and adult library resources is hard. But if they could integrate them... would they? 

05/27/2026

Dear reader, 

In the past weeks, I have been able to visit a few different secondary schools in Carpi. One of which was most defenitaly non traditional and the other very traditional for this area in Italy. After visiting these schools and chatting with students at both, I am very glad I received a "mediocre" American education and got to experience prom, homecoming, pep rallies, Friday night lights, and marching band. 

At Nazareno High School, the students study hospitality, waitering, culinary arts, and mixology on top of English and math. This is one of the high school choices that many students have, but few choose it. It is free to attend, the uniform is provided, and all students have to worry about is transportation, but Italy has so much public transportation that the only cost seems to be a bus/train pass. In Kansas, we have technical school opportunities and dual enrollment at many public schools, but it is never free of cost. Even if the families do not pay, the school district, a nonprofit, or the government pays. In the states school uniforms are 99% of the time not free, and neither are school supplies. (which is dumb considering that kids ages 5-16 literally have to go to school). 

At Fonti High School, students can choose many focus areas and study a path that they are passionate about, and that will prepare them for college. From the outside, it seems like Fonti is many students' top choice, and that is why it is overpopulated. If there were traditional high schools with districts, then this could be avoided, but I have noticed that Italian's prioritize education and the fine arts, AKA they will want their cherubs to go to the best school that will benefit them. From my sis Ila's perspective, Fonti seems very competitive and grade oriented. For example, Ila studies because she wants to have the best scores... not because she always wants to learn or cares about retaining information long term. (Yes, this is a prob in the USA too) But it makes me wonder why students find so much validation in grades and not knowledge... have we f***ked up our worldwide education system enough that kids only want all As or 10s on exams? 

On a positive note, the idea of letting students drive their learning is amazing and can be supported with a lot of inquiry based learning and hands on oppertunities (like restaurant work or healthcare volunteering). On the flip side, it also places a major stressor on the students when they finish eighth grade. What if you choose the wrong school? What if you do not actually choose the "right" path? Are you really telling me that hormonal, not fully developed tweenagers have to make a choice that really does affect their academic journey for the rest of their life? AND that only a few years ago did they make a bridge program for the cherubs that chose the wrong path/school? I wanted to drop my jaw so low when the students at Fonti told me this (I didn't... I just said WOW). 

In all, the conversations with the Fanti students made me grateful for my "medorcore" American education and stereotypical experiences.

05/25/2026

Dear reader, 

Never assume anything in a foreign country. When grocery shopping with my host mom for our American dinner, I was nervous the whole time. Before even coming, I had asked if Itay even had marshmallows or Cool Whip. My mom told me yes. Little did either of us know the answer was... not really. Which meant I had to adapt. We were both AI-ing so many questions, asking store clerks, and trying to "make do." I was able to find a recipe online to make Cool Whip, and I will cut the Haribo bear marshmallows down. Also, Italy (well, CONAD stores) does not carry marderin oranges in a can. So we will see if the ambrosia salad works or becomes more of an ambrosia soup...

I was probably the most anxious I have been in a while at the grocery store, and it did not help that we were there the last 30 minutes they were open, BUT I unpacked the groceries, took my extra anxiety meds, ate dinner, and started to scheme how I will make it work. Turns out, homemade Cool Whip isn't hard to make and is pretty cheap, so before leaving for Rome as a family, I made Cool Whip and watched Mama Mia! 

So even though this was only a minor setback, it felt like my whole world for 45 minutes. It really makes me wonder how many times families who move to other countries or even just across the states feel anxious trying to make do in a grocery store. I cannot imagine trying to do this while pregnant, or with kids, or with no clue about anything, and not knowing the local currency and language. Any non native family that braves the grocery store (or honestly, hospital, post office, and even pharmacy)  for the first time is beyond strong, and I can see how resilient and persistent situations like these might make them. 

06/09/2024

Dear Reader, 

Where do I even start??? While living in Italy I was given the experience of being a new language learner. Let me tell you something, it is exhausting. I cannot imagine how students feel having to practically start fresh socially and academically while learning a completely new culture and language. Not to mention that their comprehension of the new language will affect their academic progress moving forward. 

When looking at my experience as a new language learner I was EXTREMELY privileged.  Although my mentor teachers did not speak much English, my host family was practically fluent in British English. So even though I spent the school day constantly trying not only to understand what was happening but also to build relationships with those around me,  and teach American English.  I was still able to go home the end of the day to my host family and speak English, then spend time with my KU/MU peers and speak English, then fly back to the USA and speak all the English I want. Oh, and did I mention that my choice was learning Italian and living abroad (short term)? I did not realize this was all a privilege until our last VLC meeting before the festa. So if you can imagine then I think about my students, those who moved to Italy from China, Pakistan, and even Ukraine. I can't begin to imagine how they feel—leaving their country to move to another where everything is different and new.  By realizing my privilege abroad I was able to understand why certain student(s) I had might've been quiet or only played with each other. (I have noticed these tendencies growing up in public schools but I never thought about the why until now). 

I want to know if there are ways to make new language learner students feel at home and have opportunities to make friends/ share their culture without putting the spotlight directly on them. 

Something I noticed abroad that reminded me of how native English speakers was how in schools I could tell that the ILL/Para for the new language learner student(s) would give them a watered-down version of what was being taught. I never realized how unfair this was. (Although it saves time and energy its actually really crappy to do) Just because a student (or someone) does not currently possess the knowledge of that area's native language does not mean that they should be robbed of that educational opportunity. Instead maybe try communicating through Google Translate, using drawings or even videos with the ILL students' native language available in subtitles. I know that sometimes using those strategies isn't the best when you have to LEARN a whole new language but when it comes to academic comprehension I feel like accommodations are necessary. Maybe it is more about finding a balance between the two? (I am literally thinking as I am writing this 😀) 

Lastly, I just want to recognize some of the smaller things I noticed/learned. The first is kindness and respect. Its universal. I was able to build and maintain relationships with those around me by being kind and respectful. For example, at the start of my time I would greet the students in English every morning and hold the door for them and by the end of my time they were all greeting me in English and taking turns holding the door for each other. (which they think is VERY American) The second embracing silence and giving longer wait times. I struggled with this one until I had help from friends (Thanks Emma&Hanna😁). I never realized that by giving the students a longer wait time it was giving them the chance to process what was said and possibly think ahead. I really struggled with this one since I fear silence and am constantly in a GO GO GO mood. The third and final is nonverbal cues. These are so important and if I could go back in time I would take my Doulingo more seriously and up my charades game. 

05/27/2024

Dear Reader, 

Today after my classes I was lucky enough to visit and get to talk to some Fanti High students.  This high school is huge and in some ways reminds me of an American High School. There are learning pods, a library, trophies, classrooms, and signs/posters. But they were missing, toilets (inside the bathrooms), bulletin boards on the walls,  decorations in the classrooms, and a school mascot. Not to mention the nonexistent school sports and pep rallies. Although the differences are big and the similarities small, I still was able to learn from the tour of Fanti. 

The first is adding bright colors and natural sunlight to schools. In the States, we tend to make our schools look like prison cells and force teachers to change that environment for their students out of their pocket.  An easy way to fix this could be by adding inspirational murals or even colors to the classrooms/hallways. After doing a bit of research, I came across a teacher blog called ZIOXI. Which literally explains using color(s) in schools so well. Essentially, as long as the colors are used in the "correct" way they can help the brain want to learn more and create a happier space. As for natural light, it improves mental health and allows the room to feel less prison-like. In the future, I will keep this in mind when creating bulletin boards and picking (some) classroom decor. I will also consider using fluorescent light covers like these from Amazon and keeping my classroom blinds open. 

The second is how Italian schools test. As a former child who absolutely dreaded tests, was stressed over her lexical range, cried when things didn't make sense, and used the restroom as an excuse to calm down I would argue that standardized tests are NOT the way to go. All of it caused me test anxiety as a young adult. Yes, I agree testing is important and that states/countries NEED to collect data on what the students are actually retaining knowledge on, but I wish there was a different way. Once I learned how much the Fanti students study and stress over grades my jaw dropped. I just assumed my sister Ilara (who goes to Fanti) was a perfectionist. NOPE! She's building good habits for the fifth-year exams that determine her whole educational fate. I find this insane. For example, I SUCKED monkey butt on the ACT x2 but was still able to get my college mostly covered in scholarships due to my GPA and extracurricular activities.  Anytime I try to look up information about standardized testing it just says we should YEET it out the door... Which I (as a human) would love. But as a future educator, I know how important it is. So I think we as teachers need to work to make standardized testing #1 less scary, (bc these things give me tummy aches)  #2 equitable,( so ALL students have a fair shot of doing their best), and #3 practical ( by shorting tests to save time/ test what is needed). 

Overall the conversations with the Fanti students made me grateful for my American education and experiences and it helped me understand why certain schools choose to test the way they do. 

Link to article I mentioned : https://zioxi.com/colour-learning-space-influence-learning/#:~:text=Colour%20is%20extremely%20important%2C%20and,or%20quiet%20rest%20and%20study. 

05/24/2024

Dear Reader, 

Today I got to visit Margherita Hack Middle School. I had an amazing time touring the school, singing with students, and learning about their SPED program. Although I had been on a tour before with my fifth graders and seen their vocal + recorder performance, I loved learning about their SPED program(s) and hearing about the changes MHMS was making for its students. I found it interesting how in traditional Italian schools the teachers switch classrooms vs the students. I think it is important to have the chance to switch rooms throughout the day. This way everyone is getting physical movement AND a chance to interact with new groups of people in different environments. 

I loved the SPED presentation and that we got the opportunity to ask the students questions. I found it really interesting how MHMS provides support(s) and works to give equality to those who are disadvantaged. This past year I have been doing my research on Equality vs Equity. I find this topic very interesting, especially in education. From my personal experiences in public schools, I have only ever seen SPED classes that are self-contained or blended. Those who were self-contained mainly learned life skills like laundry, counting change, cleaning, etc.; those in blended environments took regular core courses and electives. I adore how MHMS works to provide engaging and challenging activities for ALL of its students. While watching the presentation video, I could see that they not only challenge their SPED students but also provide reachable challenges based on that student's individual needs. This is something I would love to see in the States more often. 

As for the recorder rave and concert, I LOVED singing with the students in both English and Italian. It meant too much to me that they wanted us to not only watch them perform but also share that moment with them. My favorite part of being at MHMS both times was getting to see my host brother Fede. While singing and dancing around I would occasionally look up and see him watching with a huge smile or singing along. It was the cutest thing ever. My absolute favorite part was when we went outside to the hallway during the break. Fede waved at me until I noticed him and then went to class. 

Overall I really see similarities between Margherita Hack and my own (American) middle school. I think seeing MHMS helped change my perspective and learn more about Italian schools.

05/18/2024 

Today I was lucky enough to experience ZUMBA in the park with Le Maltas. My host mom invited me to their outdoor class since I had mentioned how I enjoy working out. ( she even invited me to palates next week ) We had a great time (even though it kicked my butt) and it helped me learn more Italian. I learned words like tengono which means to hold and elastico which means elastic ( like the resistance band ). I also learned how to count to eight in Italian: uno, due, tre, quattro, cinque, sei, sette, and otto! OH, and that salto means jump and that fermare means stop. 

This workout class was very fun and it gave me a chance to bond with my host mom and learn more about their culture. During the class, we listen to Italian pop music (also known as Italian trash music). I got a good workout and spent time with my host mom while meeting others inside the community and adding to my Italian vocabulary! SOILD 10/10 to start my Saturday morning. 😁

(05/27/2024)UPDATE! I took 2 more classes with my host mom. This was so fun and a GREAT way to learn Italian verbs. 

05/13/2024

While touring multiple museums inside Florence I loved seeing the accessibility for those who are visually impaired. The Acidemia had the most opportunities for those who were blind but the Uffizi still had some, while the cathedral had none. In almost every room of the Acidemia, there was a copy of one of the paintings in 3D for someone to touch with matching braille for them to read about the pieces. I never considered how it must feel to travel abroad and be visually impaired or even go to an art gallery. I am sure that there are visually impaired people who still want to learn about art and have the same opportunities as visually abled people... I never thought about ANY of this until I saw these displays. Amazingly, these are available and I would like to know if we have something similar inside the Nelson Atkins or the art museum at KU. 

Although once noticing these I cannot help but see how disproportionate they are to all of the art that is provided for visually able people. Having 4-5 per museum is not enough, I think there should be more OR maybe a braille book that the visually impaired can check out from the front desk. 

I also could not help but wonder how the hell people who are physically disabled get around on cobblestone roads, narrow sidewalks, and places that only offer stairs. I saw some families with people who were wheelchair-bound or on medal crutches like Chrissie from Daniele Tigers Neighborhood. 

It is amazing how you never notice certain aspects of life. Either by going down a rabbit hole or until it affects you. 

For me it was like a domino effect, I just kept learning about accessibility by (respectfully) people-watching while exploring Florence.