Over the years, Scheck Hillel has had the privilege of hosting over a dozen students from Italy for a semester at a time. This year, we welcomed two Grade 11 students, Aline Guetta and Rebecca Raccah, from Renzo Levi High School, a Jewish School in Rome. Aline was hosted by the Savir family and Rebecca split her time, staying with both the Mimoun and Woldenberg families. The experience was as enriching for the exchange students, as it was for the host families; each having the opportunity to learn about the other's culture and country.
The girls arrived to Miami in January, and began the Spring 2015 semester here at Scheck Hillel. They very quickly adapted to their new environment and home life. "After one month you feel like you've been here forever," commented Rebecca when asked about her transition to a new country and new school.
The close-knit family feeling that the hosts developed with Aline and Rebecca undoubtedly played a role in their easy adjustment. "When you are in an environment where you feel like you're home, you don't worry about other things," said Rebecca about her host families. "If you get home from school and you're worried about something, you know you have someone you can rely on. You really feel that they're your American family".
The exchange program offers a profound experience for all, and creates lifelong friendships for the entire family. Throughout Rebecca's time in Miami, Jade Mimoun (Grade 11) and Ilana Woldenberg (Grade 11) truly became like sisters to her; they spent time together socially, with friends, and also as a family during Shabbat and holiday meals. The same can be said for Aline and Eliana Savir (Grade 10).
"The program made me more mature, independent and was a great challenge," said Rebecca. "My dream is to pay back everything because I was really, really lucky... I would love to give American students the same great experience in Rome."
The American host families share similar sentiments about the experience, recognizing the valuable opportunity it provided for growth academically and culturally. "You form a bond with people from across the world and it's an amazing experience to grow so close to someone that you would have never had the opportunity to meet otherwise," said Jade who strongly encourages other families to host future students from Rome.
Scheck Hillel is excited to welcome three new Italian exchange students for our Fall 2015 semester, but we are still looking for families to host them and connect them to our community. All three students are enthusiastic about school, communicate well in English and look forward to upholding their Jewish traditions here in the host family's home. If you would like more information about this incredible opportunity, please contact Director of Admission, Betty Salinas.
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