22/11/2007 - An Italian Experience in Darwin
The joys of hosting
The chance to experience true Italian culture is not something that happens everyday. Unless, that is, you are a member of the Phasey family. Keith and Simone Phasey have been hosting Italian exchange student Andrea Mignocchi since August, opening up their home to this cheerful 17 year old, and in return gaining a word of knowledge about Italian culture.
Andrea came to Australia hoping to “meet new people and travel”. Coming from a mountain town in Italy, he was keen to escape the cold, wet weather and trade it in for Australia’s famous sunshine. Which is exactly what he got when he arrived in the town of Howard Springs! As Simone jokingly put it, “It’s totally different. He’s from a valley in the mountains. We live on the one hill in Darwin.”
Keith and Simone originally got interested in hosting a student after returning from a trip to Italy. Hosting an Italian student seemed like the perfect way to stay connected with the culture. “It has just been fabulous! Andrea is really enjoying his stay. It has been very rewarding.” And with 3 or 4 postcards arriving weekly from Italy, the Phasey’s are continuously receiving exciting glimpses of a very unique culture from the other side of the world.
The benefits of hosting an exchange student affect the whole family. It is a wonderful way to learn about a different culture first-hand, and when exchange students like Andrea return home they take with them a memorable part of Australian culture.
AFS Australia has been arranging exchanges since 1959, with network partners operating in more than 50 countries.
They aim to promote tolerance and respect through greater intercultural understanding and learning.
Anyone interested in hosting an exchange student should contact Lana Falzon at AFS on 02 9215 0045 or by emailing lana.falzon@afs.org
Media Contact:
Barbara Ratusznik
barbara.ratusznik@afs.org