“The only rule of a journey is: don’t come back as you leave. Come back different.” (Anne Carson)

From my personal experience I can say that this happens inevitably; you will not be the same when you come back from a journey. During the summer I had the opportunity to spend the entire month of July in London through a scholarship.

This experience has changed and enriched me a lot; it allowed me to grow up and to become more responsible and independent, but, especially , it helped me to know myself better and to be aware of my capacities. Moreover, I met new people from Italy and also from other countries that immediately became very special because they assisted me during the whole journey and helped me when I felt melancholic.

My host family is also included with them: a really nice couple that took care of me as I was their own daughter! Then I could practise and improve my English thanks to the classes I attended at The Central School of English. There, teachers were all very kind and prepared, their lessons were interesting and entertaining,too. At the end of our monthly course they gave us an Eglish level ccertification.

Therefore, it was very useful! I was given this really big opportunity by the Monte San Martino Trust, an association that provides scholarships for Italian students. Its aim is to thank Italian families for the hospitality they gave English soldiers during World War II, risking their life,too. So as a reward, the organization offers money, finds a family where students can be hosted and, on top of it, gives them the possibility to improve their level of English by having them attend school. I am very grateful to the Monte San Martino Trust, but I am also thankful to other people; in fact, first of all I want to thank my History teacher, Mrs Marchei, and my English teacher, Mrs De Fanis, because they stay in contact with the association and was their choice to involve us in this project. Finally, I want to thank the Principal of our school, Mrs Vita, who always allows us to take part in activities that are very educative for students.

In the end, my advice is: if you have the opportunity, you should travel as much as you can because it will increase your cultural baggage!