Adjusting to school in a different country can be challenging, but Fossil Ridge High School senior Alici Trani, an exchange student from Bologna, Italy, is thriving.
Coming to Colorado has been an extraordinary way to experience a different culture, she said.
“It’s a really great experience because my first language is not English, so it’s a really great way to practice,” Trani said. “The U.S. is a really big influence all over the world, also in Italy.”
Trani’s French teacher, Nicolas Henry, has been impressed with Trani’s dedication to becoming a part of the Colorado community.
“Sometimes, exchange students are totally into it. They want to stay here. They love America, but sometimes you can tell they are a little scared, and not really sure what’s going on,” Henry said.
Trani has found lots of differences in the way of life in Colorado versus Italy, specifically in the school system.
“First of all, we don’t get to choose our classes. So we have some classes that we have to take, and so we don’t get to choose them,” Trani said. “And also, the day is really different because our classes are one hour, and we get six hours of school with six different classes.”
Greville said it has been interesting to learn about life in another country from Trani.
“I think other students enjoy hearing about how school and everyday life is different or the same in other places around the world,” she said.
Taking advantage of the wide range of athletics offered at Poudre School District, Trani joined the girls’ PSD field hockey team, even though she had no experience.
“I wanted to do a sport, definitely, because it was going to help me to get to know more people and make new friends. So I thought that was a great opportunity,” Trani said.
Breanna Greville, Trani’s field hockey coach, said Trani has been a positive addition.
“Alice managed to make friends on the team really quickly and doesn’t appear to have any problems with getting along with everyone as she has a very easygoing and bubbly personality,” said Breanna Greville, Trani’s field hockey coach.
Trani plans on staying here for the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year.
“People here are really, really nice. And joining the field hockey team made it easier for me to make friends, because I get to know people,” Trani said.
Teachers and students have enjoyed hearing about Trani’s life in Bologna.
“We have enjoyed having Alice bring delicious, authentic Italian Tiramisu to a team dinner that we devoured! Many of the students and even coaches want her to teach us about more authentic Italian dishes,” Greville said.
