From Brewster to Rome: Students Take Italian Beyond the Classroom

For Brewster High School sophomores Zalia Cox and Ella Waters, studying Italian has always been more than just another class on their schedules. Both students have been learning the language since sixth grade, but this summer, they had the opportunity to take their Italian skills far beyond the classroom — all the way to Rome.

The opportunity came after the students attended an after-school presentation about an intensive Italian language program called CIEE: Council on International Cultural Exchange. in Rome. On a whim, they decided to apply. They were accepted and spent most of July immersed in the language and culture of Italy.

The experience proved invaluable. In addition to strengthening their Italian skills and living with host families, the students gained a new sense of independence as they navigated public transportation in an unfamiliar city, explored Rome on their own and met other students from across the country.

“On a regular day, we would go on an excursion around the city — the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Colosseum — and then in the afternoon we would go to school and take Italian lessons for two hours,” Ella explained. “Then we would go back to our host families for dinner.”

For Zalia, one of the biggest challenges was translating Italian in class.

“The hardest part was actively translating in class. I was fighting for my life,” she said. “The teacher only spoke Italian!”

The program encouraged students to use their Italian whenever they could, including at restaurants and cafés.

“We tried to order in Italian, but a lot of the time the staff wanted to practice their English, and we wanted to practice our Italian,” Zalia said.

Beyond the language lessons, the students were captivated by the city itself.

“I loved that our school building was so grand, with high vaulted ceilings and big wooden doors. Even the door knobs were beautiful,” Zalia said. “Across the street there was a golden church. I would just hang out in the pews. It was so beautiful.”

For Ella, the Trevi Fountain was a favorite destination.

“My favorite place was the Trevi Fountain,” she said. “It was very crowded, but there were so many beautiful places to see.”

And, of course, there was the food.

“I loved the pesto and the gelato. I had gelato every day” Ella said.

Zalia particularly enjoyed the meals she shared at home.

“My host mother served me fresh mozzarella on a plate at dinner. It was so delicious,” she said.

The trip also made a noticeable difference in the students’ Italian language skills.

“Mr. Franze is so excited by my accent and my language,” Zalia said. “It has made Italian class much easier.”

“The students were so brave to step beyond what is familiar,” said BHS Principal Nichole Horler, “The greatest lessons may not be found in a classroom, but in the people you meet, the cultures you experience, and the moments that challenge you to see the world differently.

Both students originally chose Italian for different reasons. Zalia wanted to learn a language that was a little different, while Ella speaks German at home and thought Italian might be relatively easy to pick up.

What they discovered was a close-knit and passionate Italian language program at BCSD. Their summer in Rome only deepened their appreciation for the language and culture — and gave them confidence they can carry with them well beyond high school.