Brittany Patton
News and Opinion Editor
Daniele Olmeda, 17-year-old Italian native, started school on Aug. 13, here as a senior.
“I wanted to see America. I want to live like an American; I was getting bored of Italy,” Olmeda said about why he came to America.
In September of 2012, Olmeda decided he wanted to come to America. By December 2012, he finished his application. In late June/early July, Olmeda had his visa.
Olmeda pointed out differences between America and Italy. He said in Italy most people live in apartments or buildings. In America, he said, there’s more space, greener and better air, and he added Rome is hotter.
Olmeda’s host family, the Winstein-Hibbs, is the same host family that took in former Danish exchange student Mikkel Sandberg.
About the food, Olmeda said, “You have a lot of condiments, and your Italian food isn’t really Italian.”
He added American clothing is really different. In Italy they dress more elegantly and wouldn’t wear flip-flops and socks. Olmeda pointed out most of the American boys wear basketball shorts, which are an uncommon dress item for Italians.
Olmeda likes Webster Groves High School. He says he plans on doing as much as possible. He also said it’s better than his Italian school.
“Here you have lot of equipment,” Olmeda said about WGHS. He pointed out cameras used by the ECHO and said at his Italian school, they couldn’t have afforded that.
It’s bigger, better and richer with a lot of fast food, Olmeda said.
About what Olmeda misses from his homeland, Olmeda said he misses the sea and skiing. Olmeda plans to stay in America for at least a year.
