In the picture, detail of a fifth grader decorating a ceramic pendant for a necklace. VIEW ORIGINAL
LISIERA (Vicenza), Italy – This week, DODEA Vicenza Elementary School visited the Scuola Primaria di Lisiera, a local elementary school for a student exchange. This school is one of the five of the Bolzano Vicentino Comprehensive Institute.
The May 13 “Student Exchange Day” was coordinated by Maj. Mohamed Saeed, the 414th Contracting Support Brigade Community Relation’s Officer, Sebastiana Cappello, 414th CSB, in close collaboration with the mayor’s office of Bolzano Vicentino, Principal and staff of both DoDEA Vicenza and Lisiera elementary schools.
In the picture, the Italian and American leadership and teachers pose for a group photo.
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A collaboration with the town of Bolzano Vicentino started at the beginning of 2024, when Bolzano Vicentino Mayor, Lorenzo Cracco, met with 414th CSB, and one of the areas of partnership focused on a student exchange program involving fifth graders from both communities, building connections, and showing students what an Italian or American school is like.
“This initiative is a meaningful opportunity to promote cultural understanding, collaboration, and mutual respect between American and Italian students,” said Saeed.
After arriving at Piazza Milite Ignoto, the greeting of institutions was followed by the playing of the American and Italian national anthems; then, approximately 150 students (90 Americans and 60 Italians) were organized into groups based on activities, which included artistic and manual laboratories, as well as science lessons about bees featuring a guided tour of the hives with a local beekeeper and sports.
In the picture, after arriving at Piazza Milite Ignoto, the greeting of institutions was followed by the playing of the American and Italian national anthems. VIEW ORIGINAL
“Through joint participation in arts, science activities, sports and a shared lunch experience, students are able to connect, learn and grow beyond the classroom environment,” added Saeed, “because events like this not only strengthen community ties but also foster the values of cooperation at a young age.”
This visit, which was the second part of an ongoing cultural exchange - after Lisiera students visited VES some months ago - strengthened friendships and gave the students a better understanding of Italian life and culture.
American fifth graders enjoyed sharing activities with their Italian peers, such as the ceramic laboratory portion, where VES student David decorated a pendant with a “galaxy” design for a necklace.
“It was fun coming here and making new friends. I also saw some from last time, when they visited our school,” he said. “I am looking forward to meeting them again.”
In the picture, after the greeting of institutions and the playing of the American and Italian national anthems, students are welcomed with an Italian flag.
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Marzia Rizzato, principal of the Bolzano Vicentino Comprehensive Institute, was immediately in favor of this educational experience, as soon as Mayor Cracco made this exchange proposal at the beginning of the school year.
“When I asked our teachers about this experience, they were interested in participating because we believe that this mutual knowledge is important, also considering that Bolzano Vicentino hosts many American families,” added Rizzato.
She explained that the previous visit at the American school was important, “when they [students] returned, they were enthusiastic and it remained a fantastic memory,” she said.
Rizzato also thinks that for both communities this type of experiences is a great added value. “I really hope that we will continue them, these exchanges can help make our territory known but also learn about our two communities.”
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