FRIENDSHIP!

Discovering new worlds

As you may have noticed for some time now, new classmates have arrived at our school from other places in the world such as Bangladesh and China. With this article, I would like to remind you how, in general, welcoming those from other places is important. Indeed, for many, moving from one place to another proves very difficult, and having the support of someone local can become crucial.

I found myself thinking about the feelings a guy like me might have once he is forced to leave the place he calls home. Sadness? Melancholy? I then realized that putting oneself in the shoes of others sometimes turns out to be a perfect way to make people feel understood and appreciated, a feeling that to me, personally, warms the heart. Moreover, as is often the case in these situations, it can become an interesting adventure to discover new worlds, new cultures and ethnicities that, precisely because they are different from our own, fascinate and encourage us to try something different than usual, as well as teach us not to be afraid of the world.

The situation could turn around and give each other a chance to discover something good or bad about an unfamiliar place, whether far or near. Moreover, having a witness to a country can also give us a hand in breaking down false myths and appreciating the beauty of each people. I know communication can be difficult at times but translators otherwise what are they for?

Then, leaving aside the difficulties, isn’t it great to think of all the moments when we can share even trivial activities, such as a simple ball game or a laugh? In the end, we are kids and we find that we are more alike than you might think….

Sara Folognani

We are hosting an article by a third-year student of “Chelini” middle school in Lucca editor of the school newspaper “Che Chelini”.