Written by Tai & Naomi, Student Leaders of the Week
This last week we were staying outside of a beautiful town called Matera. We were staying on a working farm called La Masseria La Fiorita. The farm had everything from horses and cows to rabbits and chickens. When we arrived we met 2 volunteers and another woman who worked on the farm. They were from Austria, Tunisia, and Reunion Island off of Madagascar. It was very interesting to meet 3 women from such different places and learn all about them and their cultures. Our first day there was filled with name-games and other fun activities to get to know the volunteers better, which were all entertaining. After some games, we went into the town of Matera to do some much needed laundry. While there, we did a fun scavenger hunt-like game where we split into 2 teams and had to go around the town finding answers to questions and taking pictures at some of the city’s most famous locations. Although I thought my group had won, we ended in a much-anticipated tie… We took that time to get some different food as we have been mainly eating pasta – which although amazing – is a lot to have over and over, so we got some poke which was a nice refresher.
We also spent a few days on the farm doing some farm work and building some fun new additions for the farm. We built 2 small bird houses and – something that was new to me – a bug hotel (a combination of some wooden crates filled with different plants and wood to hopefully house bugs.) Those were really fun activities as we got some hands on work with tools and building stuff which was new for some of us. We also had a morning working with the animals and cleaning up their areas. Although it was fun, it was hard work shoveling and cleaning out their pens, but was a fun experience. We spent a lot of time at the farm doing other fun activities including cooking for the group, whether it was burgers or pasta and meatballs; it was always a treat to cook and eat with the group and volunteers.
On our final few days we spent some time in another close-by city called Altamura. We spent time with a local group of Italian students who were looking to improve their English and learning about our culture and vice versa. One day, we split up and went to the students’ families’ houses for lunch which was definitely an experience. I met a set a of twins, their cousin, their parents, their younger sister, their grandmother, and their aunt and uncle; so it was definitely an experience. Oh, and I can’t forget that the food was amazing! We also spent a day at their study space and did a culture immersion event where we planned 3 different stations to teach them about our culture. One of them was a dance station where some people showed them some American dances, such as line dancing. One was a station of jeopardy with the questions all being about America whether it was sports or just the general geography. And the final station was teaching the students about American slang. Long story short- we had a blast and an amazing week.
What were the top highlights of the week?
🏘️ Sassi: This week we explored Materas iconic old town; the Sassi. Once the shame of Italy, Matera has brought new life into the city making it the 2019 European Capital of Culture. Built into natural limestone cliff faces, old buildings sit precariously near the edge. Through the small winding streets you have a view of the Gravina di Matera.
🌾 Life on the Farm: For the week we stayed at La Masseria La Fiorita, 15 minutes outside of Matera. We explored life on the farm. We met all the animals and thoroughly enjoyed the 4 farm cats that seemed to enjoy our company as well. We used fresh vegetables and dairy products from the farm itself.
🗻 Exploring in nature: Later in the week we hiked through the previously viewed Gravina with a beautiful view of the Sassi. We were led through old caves and rock churches tucked into the hillside. With an abundance of yellow flowers we can sense that spring is well on its way!
Our transformations are never without challenges – what was most challenging for the group this week?
This week I could sense that the group is having a hard time settling into the demand of the schedule. Majority of the group graduated high school almost a year ago. We may need a bit of an adjustment period becoming accustomed to a full day of activities. Without the comfort of returning home at the end of the day. Not to say we aren’t enjoying ourselves. It’s been an adjustment to have such full days while sharing a living space.
What are you grateful for this week?
Something I’ve been very grateful for these last few weeks is being in a group again. I can’t speak for everyone else but I hadn’t been doing too much the last few months leading up to the trip and had primarily been at home with my family. Being able to be with a group again and always having someone to talk to has been something I’ve loved again and haven’t fully had it since school last year for me. Whether it’s just sharing a room and having small talks with people before heading off to bed or even just having people to talk to at meals its quite refreshing for me. I’ve also been extremely grateful to have a group that’s starting to get really close and having a space where we can be very open with each other. Don’t get me wrong I love my family and loved having them to talk to but it’s nice to meet new people and be able to spend a long period of time with them and get closer and closer as the trip goes on and I can’t wait for more of it.
❤️ Until next time, Spring 2023 Italy & Greece Semester!
