St. Mary’s students welcome Italian counterparts

In November, students at St. Mary’s School in Aliso Viejo said benvenuto to exchange students visiting from Italy.

Eighteen seventh- and eighth-graders at St. Mary’s welcomed students from the International School of Milan into their homes. The two schools have been partnered in an exchange program for the past seven years.

The Italian students attended classes with their hosts and just generally experienced the life of a young American for a week.

“One of our core principles is to teach a global perspective,” Headmaster John O’Brien said in a statement. “To succeed in their future lives, our students need to understand other cultures and different points of view.”

Every fall the Italian students visit, and in the spring, St. Mary’s students take a trip to Milan. While there, the American students will immerse themselves in Italian culture while living in and exploring the country, according to a news release.

—Kelly Parker

Twitter: @KellyParkerTCN