ENDICOTT-- Nicole Gottardi and fourteen other Italians from Bolzano arrived and were reunited with their exchange ‘brothers and sisters’ who stayed with them last spring.

The group from Italy arrived in Endicott on Sunday Sept. 25, 2011, and they’ll be in town until Oct. 13. They’ll then spend two days in New York City at the end of their stay.

Gottardi’s ‘sister’ is, Union-Endicott senior Megan Brunner.

“We do think of ourselves as sisters, Brunner said. “We live and do pretty much everything together, it’s different having her here, but it’s really fun! I am always trying to think of what she’d like to do or new things for her to experience.”

For the Italians coming over, there is a huge culture shock. Even though Signora Roma-Circensi hasn’t gotten a chance to really get to know all of the Italian students yet, the U-E Italian teacher said, “They’re friendly, open to our culture and very curious. Also, they all have general cultural questions, but are open to trying new things. One girl asked me about apple cider, because they don’t have cider like ours in Italy and after explaining the taste to her, she tried it and loved it!” 

They speak English well because, “they come from a foreign language high school so they have to know the language.” Roma-Circensi said.

Another first experience for the Italian students was homecoming, which they don’t have in Italy. 

“Yes we are coming to homecoming! We are very excited about it!” Gottardi said.

There are many other activities planned for them, such as the welcome dinner, which was held at the Sons of Italy on Monday Sept. 26, 2011, and trips to Binghamton University, Cornell University, Niagara Falls, Albany, Washington D.C., and the Corning Museum of Glass. 

Families will, probably, also take them places such as malls and sporting events.

“I want to experience everything I possibly can while I’m here,” Gottardi said.

Having their Italian ‘brothers and sisters’ with them also affects our U-E students. 

“It’s a great experience for our students because it’s hard to get the Italian way of life across in class. With the exchange, our students are able to learn more about the Italian culture,” Roma-Circensi said.