Middle Schools in Italy

A few months back I traveled abroad to Carpi, Italy where I had the amazing experience of working in an Italian Middle School alongside an Italian English teacher. Needless to say this was the best experience of my life, but I also learned A LOT! While there and reflecting back now, I realized/realize that adolescents everywhere really are exactly the same.

Middle School in Italy consists of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade similar to many middle schools in America. Because of this, the Italian students were going through a lot of the same issues as Americans kids.

Physically, of course it's the same! Italians go through puberty and all that fun stuff just the same!

Intellectually, the students appeared very curious, especially having an American in their class. They loved active learning such as dancing to the YMCA and playing baseball outside over lectures and worksheets.

Psychologically, the students seemed moody and self-conscious but also optimistic. It was obvious that they were searching for identity too, perhaps even more so than students in America. This is because high schools in Italy are specialized so students must know their career path by the end of eighth grade! A lot of pressure for fourteen year olds!

Socially, the Italian students were very active. The small town of Carpi consists of about 60,000 people so it seemed that everyone in the school knew everyone else. It was a nice small community atmosphere.

Morally, the Italian students I worked with were very idealistic. They seemed to have a good grasp of right from wrong and the direction they wanted to go in life. In general, Italy is a very close-knit, family and community oriented place and the morals really reflect that.

All in all, the middle schoolers in Italy seemed exactly the same as the middle schoolers I have been in contact with in the US. They too are just as worried about fashion, fitting in, and identity!