Masuk Free Press

When Sonia Stopazzolo stepped off the plane from Milan, Italy and arrived in Monroe, Connecticut, she didn’t know exactly what to expect. American high school? Football games? Deer casually walking across the street?  

Turns out, all of the above.    

Stopazzolo is one of Masuk High School’s foreign exchange students this year, spending her senior year thousands of miles away from home. 

 “It’s always been my childhood dream because when my mom was young, she did it and she always talks about how fun and interesting it was,” Stopazzolo said. 

Now, she’s living out that dream in a place that’s very different from her hometown of Milan–a bustling city known more for fashion and architecture than for Friday night football or Dunkin’ runs. 

One of the biggest surprises for Stopazzolo was how different the U.S. school system is—especially the opportunities to get involved, since schools in Italy don’t have sports teams or clubs. 

“It’s very different because in Italy I have all of the same classmates in one classroom and the teachers move from class to class. Here, we change classes ourselves, which I like better because the time goes by faster,” said Stopazzolo.

 She also shared that Italian schools run six-days a week, with only Sundays off.   

Another surprise? The relationship between students and teachers. In Italy, the classroom dynamic is far more formal. Stopazzolo expressed how teachers here “are more kind and open. In Italy we don’t have any kind of relationship with the teachers.” Back in Milan, Stopazzolo attends a specialized high school where students choose the focus of their studies, not individual classes. Her school in particular, allows her to study Greek and Latin culture.    

Coming from a large city like Milan, Stopazzolo wasn’t anticipating Monroe’s quiet, green scenery. 

“I think the nature here is really cool. I’m from the city of Milan so I’m not used to this kind of environment. Even seeing deer in the street is new to me,” said Stopazzolo.

 The small-town atmosphere and the chance to experience a quieter environment have been highlights of her stay so far. As much as she enjoys Monroe’s calm, she also appreciates being close to New York City. 

 “When I found out that Monroe is only two hours to New York by train I was so excited. I planned what I wanted to do for the day and did a lot of shopping and saw the views of the city,” said Stopazzolo.“It was nice to be in a city again, and I wasn’t nervous to go alone because New York City is structured just like Milan. I am used to the subway and I knew how to move and where to go.”   

Stopazzolo’s favorite American tradition is the football games. 

“My first football game in the student section was neon themed, and even though I don’t know the rules of football, just being a part of the student section is so much fun,” shared Stopazzolo. “ We don’t have student support like the Red Army in Italy.”  

Spirit week was totally foreign to her as well, especially the pep rally. One moment that really stuck with her was the competitions between the grades, like tug of war, as well as the dance routines that involved the teachers. Stopazzolo talked about how she enjoyed getting ready for the Homecoming dance more than the dance itself, but is looking forward to Prom in the spring.

One thing she misses most from Italy is the food. 

“I’ve tried some fast food but I definitely prefer Italian food and I really dislike mac and cheese. I really can’t eat that, it’s too cheesy,” she said.

 Still, she’s been adventurous, trying all sorts of American fast food staples, even if they don’t quite measure up to homemade pasta.  She wants to remind Americans “we are not just about food. We are friendly and we have all different places and types of environments—everything from cities to mountains.”  

One of the biggest sacrifices of coming here is that Stopazzolo won’t be able to go home for the holidays due to rules in her exchange program that discourage visits during the school year. 

“I can’t see my parents for ten months because there is the possibility that I would become more homesick. I text my mom everyday and tell her about my day and my improvements. I try not to text too often though because I want to be in the moment here,” said Stopazzolo.

Despite missing home, Stopazzolo believes this experience will benefit her long after high school ends. 

“I hope that my English will improve. I want to study and work abroad so it is essential for me to learn it perfectly,” she said. 

Stopazzolo plans on going to college in Italy, but then returning to the U.S. for law school.    

Being in the moment has lived up to everything she dreamed of. 

“So far it is like the movies and it’s everything I imagined,” Stopazzolo said.

From Milan to Monroe, Sonia Stopazzolo is living out a once-in-a-lifetime adventure—football games, fast food, and the quiet charm of small-town life.