San Andrea School in Turin exchange

Students of Italian at San Andrea Senior School, L-Imselliet (Mgarr), experienced their first student exchange when they visited Turin from March 9 to 15, while students from Scuola Internazionale Statale Altiero Spinelli of Turin came to Malta from March 31 to April 5.

The San Andrea teachers participating in the exchange were Mark Sciberras, Audrey Spiteri and Claudia Stafrace while the Italian teachers accompanying the Turin students to Malta were Elena Agostinelli and Ethne Miller.

Among the various activities in which the Maltese students participated in Turin were a guided visit by coach around the hills and countryside around the city, visiting the Cathedral of Superga along the way, a visit to the city's historic centre and guided tours of the cinema museum at the Mole Antonelliana, the Egyptian Museum as well as Palazzo Lascaris.

A rather unusual and exciting experience was the night visit to the offices of the famous Turin newspaper La Stampa, where the Maltese group saw the next day's edition being produced and printed.

Other activities outside Turin included a visit to Exilles Fort, the medieval cathedral of Novalesa and the small Alpine village of Susa.

On the last day the group visited the cathedral of the Madonna della Consolata and the Borgo Medievale near the Valentino Park.

A final party was organised by the hosting parents together with the teachers and heads at the school.

Two weeks later the Italian students visited Malta for the second part of the exchange. The week was packed with cultural and fun activities including visits to museums and historical shows in Valletta, Mdina and Birgu. The children also enjoyed a day in Gozo and a swim in the freezing water of Xlendi Bay.

All were very keen to conclude a football challenge which started in Turin. The Maltese team won both games played at San Andrea sports grounds and at Marsaxlokk.

Unfortunately bad weather spoilt a visit by luzzu to the Blue Grotto, but the Turin party were lucky enough to have nice weather on the last day when they visited the Mediterraneo Dolphin Park where they and their Maltese friends enjoyed watching the sea lion and dolphin shows. All children and teachers enjoyed being photographed while receiving a fishy kiss from Dolly, the youngest sea lion at the park.

At the airport the children exchanged farewells in Italian and English. Undoubtedly for the teachers this was a successful and unforgettable experience that they hope to repeat in the coming years.