During January, the students from Colégio São Luiz (Brasil) lived with local families in Monza and studied at the Istituto Leone Dehon, a school owned by the dehonians.
Colégio São Luiz has successfully completed its first exchange program in Italy. The group, composed of students Ariane Oriques, Bernardo Dias Mesquita, Bianca Colombi Ristow, Caio Coppini, Debora Minatti, Henrique Cinelli Pedroso, Isabelli Kretzschmar de Souza, Julia Crispim Rescarolli, Luiz Felipe Zaclikewicz Redel, Marina Klein Padilha, pedagogical coordinator Fabrício Bado, and Father Renato Vieira Lima, SCJ, returned to Brazil at the beginning of February with a sense of accomplishment.
During January, the students from Colégio São Luiz lived with local families in Monza and studied at the Istituto Leone Dehon, a school owned by the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The young people also had the opportunity to visit three universities in Milan and one in Bergamo, where they learned about their admission processes. This university experience was essential for them. They are in high school, just one step away from college, and knowing that studying at a university abroad is possible makes the process much easier. The universities welcomed us warmly, and we established connections so that if any of the students choose this path, they will already know how to proceed,” says Fabrício Bado, the pedagogical coordinator. He believes that the first exchange program is always meant to strengthen relationships and solidify partnerships between institutions — something he feels was successfully accomplished by the group in Italy.
“The first exchange program paves the way for future opportunities. This experience was incredible. We received nothing but praise for our students’ behavior, both from their host families and the teachers at their school. They embraced this experience with great responsibility because an exchange program is not just a sightseeing trip — it goes far beyond that, and they all did very well,” he says.
The coordinator says that the partnership between the students of Colégio São Luiz and Istituto Leone Dehon has strengthened intercultural ties and promoted the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. “This cultural exchange fosters empathy, tolerance, and mutual understanding — essential values for living harmoniously in society.”
Father Renato Vieira Lima, who accompanied the group, also believes that the first exchange program to Italy successfully achieved its goal. “It was highly significant because it strengthened the connection between Brazilian and Italian education. We built bridges between educational institutions, provided students with an international experience, and helped them recognize the Dehonian identity of education in a foreign setting,” he adds. He also highlights the meaningful connections formed through the exchange. “This program created numerous opportunities for connection — among the students, with the host institution, and with the families who welcomed us in Italy. It was a truly enriching experience and a testament to how education fosters relationships and opportunities,” he concludes.
A Unique Experience
The exchange students returned with countless stories and fond memories, grateful for the warm welcome they received from their host families and everyone they met during their time in Italy. After visiting the universities, many began to seriously consider the possibility of studying abroad in the future. “The university visits were a highlight for me, as one of my goals is to study abroad. Seeing the universities up close and learning about the admission process further strengthened my desire to study in another country,” says Henrique Cinelli Pedroso.
Marina Klein Padilha was also excited about what she saw at the Italian universities. “Before the exchange program, I had already researched a university in Italy, but over time, I ended up setting that dream aside. Now, after this experience, my interest has been reignited. The staff was very welcoming and offered their support if I decide to go through the application process.” Ariane Oriques emphasizes how welcoming her host family was throughout the exchange. “I had never been abroad before, and I was really nervous, but my host family was incredibly kind. From day one, I felt right at home.”
Bernardo Dias Mesquita highlights the maturity the exchange brought him. “It was a very important experience for me to learn to live without my parents’ help and take care of myself. At first, it was challenging, but over time, I adapted and felt ready to face the world on my own.”
For Bianca Colombi Ristow, the highlight of the experience was the people. “The people made all the difference. I made a lot of friends, and my host family was amazing.”
Caio Coppini shares how his perspective changed after getting to know the Italian routine better. “It was a new experience with a different routine, but I adapted very well. I came back with a completely different outlook.”
Debora Minatti emphasizes the connections she made during the trip. “I returned to Brazil a different person than when I left. I made incredible friends and truly felt like part of the family.”
For Isabelli Kretzschmar de Souza, the experience was unforgettable. “I met some remarkable people, embraced the culture, and had unforgettable moments. It was much more than I expected.”
Julia Crispim Rescarolli was pleasantly surprised by the warmth of the Italians. “I thought I was going to be nervous, but I was welcomed with open arms. Everyone was really curious about us, and I made so many friends.”
For Luiz Felipe Zaclikewicz Redel, both the academic and personal experiences were the highlight of the exchange. “I learned about a new culture, picked up a new language, and made great friends. I also learned to deal with homesickness and grew a lot as a person,” he adds.
