Rivetta '24 Alice

From: Malonno, Italy

Current Grade: 11

Entered SSM: Grade 11

What are some of your favorite traditions/customs from your culture

ALICE: Eating together and spending time talking, not being in a rush while we eat.

What foods do you miss from home?

ALICE: Burrata on pizza!

What is your favorite American food?

ALICE: Probably Ben and Jerry's ice cream.

What is the most surprising/weirdest/interesting thing about living in the U.S.?

ALICE: Most surprising: U.S. history classes can actually be fun and interesting! Weirdest: Americans always drink water with ice. Most interesting: how many beautiful and different places/variety of weather there is in the same country.

What has been your favorite thing about your experience as an international student?

ALICE: My favorite experience was being able to represent my country during International Day and seeing how many people are interested in Italy and my culture. I’m glad I ended up at SSM! As a non-COE student I felt disoriented at first, and I didn't know how to make friends. I wish there was more of a variety of afterschool activities offered, especially during the winter— cooking, baking, hiking, badminton, handball, or karate—but I’m having a great time here!

What has been the hardest adjustment you've had to make?

ALICE: Not being able to cook my own food.

What advice would you give to future international students at SSM?

ALICE: Don't try to change or to adapt to this different environment or people, just be yourself! In this way you're going to have the best experience and find people who are going to love you.

Why did you choose to attend SSM?

TIFFANY: My older brother, who graduated 2021, came to SSM as a freshman. On registration day I was astounded by the variety of people and Centers of Excellence present. When I stepped through the Arch, I became eager to access the opportunities that SSM could provide me.

How are classes/education different here than in your home country?

TIFFANY: Classes here are dramatically different from back home. In the Nigerian curriculum, we do not have the same set of classes daily. Instead we have a schedule and priority classes have more time dedicated to them. There are also no COEs back home. If you were interested in something you’d hope for a club.

What has been your favorite class at SSM?

TIFFANY: Advanced Music Theory II. At first the class stressed me out and was confusing, but after establishing healthy communication and connections, I find myself never wanting to leave the class. My classmates and teacher, Dr. Downs, are a joy to have and converse with, and I have formed life-long relationships with them.

What is the most surprising/weirdest/ interesting thing about living in the U.S.?

TIFFANY: The weirdest thing about the living in the U.S. is how the states are like nationalities. When I introduce myself, I say I am from Lagos, Nigeria, but some people simply mention the state they’re from without specifying that they are from the country of the United States.