Voices from Abroad: Benedetta Sironi
Dublin (Ireland), Exchange Program: University College of Dublin, Quinn School of Business
It was the first time for me living alone without my parents. Luckily, I lived with two other Italian girls, very tidy, clean and patient when teaching me the basic things: how to do the laundry, which products to buy to clean the bathroom, etc. I was in Dublin, Ireland, to start my exchange program for one semester.When I went to class the first day, I was pretty scared: I couldn't understand everything the professor said, and he would call on students to ask a question. I was always praying silently he wouldn't call me! I wasn't able to understand yet, or talk properly in front of the whole class. But it was so exciting for me to try to study and learn in a new language, to make new friends and express myself in another language. It seemed to me like I was another person! Nobody knew me at all, I had to start all over again. And this was the most amazing thing to do: every time there was a party or night out, organized by the ESN (Erasmus Student Network), we had to introduce ourselves because everybody was in the same situation: alone in a new environment, trying to make new friends. And I did it: a lot of new friends, some of them still visiting me around Europe, a new boyfriend (from New Zealand!) and three exams done, in English and also with an oral presentation with a Chinese girl and a French guy.
 Benedetta and other students at Belfast Has Talent |
The best thing about Exchange is that you meet people from all over the world and you have the chance to learn a lot of new things about different cultures, different ways to have fun in different countries, how they celebrate classical festivities like Christmas on the other side of the world. And you get responsible and autonomous because you have to adapt to a new life, get through little problems of everyday life. I still remember when I made my first phone call all in English: I was so proud of myself!I visited a lot around Dublin, I went out to try different pubs with live music every night, like a permanent concert. With all the other exchange students, we did small trips around Ireland, I also did an audition for an MTV program singing in front of a group of people: so embarrassing but so much fun!Right before Christmas, it was so hard to go back home. I missed all my friends so much, my independence, and the warm culture of amazing Dubliners.One little clue: get the most out of such an experience: don't stay home in front of the computer missing home. Go out, talk to people, try to learn as much as you can about the city you live in, visit museums, go out of town during weekends, enjoy university life. It's something you will never have back when you grow up!