On the 24th of July I got on a small plane that would take me and 15 others to Malpensa airport on the outskirts of Milan. On the plane I didn't know what to expect of my week in Cinisello Balsalmo. I was worried about staying in someone else's house, excited to be in a different country, nervous about any language barriers and eager to meet the Italian young people.
My first view of Italy put me at ease. When we got our luggage and walked towards the exit we saw a group of young people. Everyone was holding signs with our names on and immediately I felt welcome into Cinisello. Over the week these people would become some of the loveliest people that I've ever met.
Impact and WDY's youth exchange to Italy has changed my perspective on life. Through workshops, games and free time we worked out that young people in Italy and England have the same fears and the same interests. Some are different, on the first day I discovered not to mention hockey, one of my favourite sports, but many are the same. Girls in Italy are body conscious just like us.
One of the main themes of the trip was that even though we come from different places we are one through Christ. I felt this the most during the Sunday morning mass. We went to a local church and although the mass was in Italian I could follow it, even though it needed a lot of extra concentration. But being in the mass with all the local people made it clear to me how we are all connected. Being home I feel more connected to the people in Cinisello than ever.
I will remember this trip for the rest of my life and I hope that the Italian's will come over next year. This has been one of the best opportunities I have ever been given so I would like to thank Terry Mattinson, Josie and Andrew for taking us to Cinisello and giving us the chance to do something extra-ordinary.
-Emily Read.