Zidanie, you have a good point. I was chatting (via text) with a guy at our factory in Modena and was telling him something (in English) which he misunderstood. When we got it straightened out, he apologized for his poor English. I of course immediately told him that his English is FAR better than my Italian. Then he said "When you come in Italy, I will speak English and you will speak Italian ..... and we will forgive each other." I thought that was very well put and we laughed about it.
Getting back to what you said, it really does help if the person you are trying to practice Italian on speaks English fairly well. Anyway, I hope to speak Italian much better in the future.

Jeaniegina I know what you mean, and it's exactly what I was trying to say.
While learning a language finding someone who speaks it, and at the same time is trying to learn yours, is a great help indeed.
I experienced the same thing with an Australian boy who came to my school in a cultural exchange, I sat next to him and had a great improving in English (also if I had to spend all the following years trying to catch away that Aussie accent )

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jeaniegina,

Your job sounds awesome, i'm jealous. Do they have a location in the Chicagoland area? haha

I have visited Italy twice before but since I'll be going there on my own this time I opted for Siena as it's smaller and I hope less busy than Fierenze.

HI Lesley
Since this is an old thread maybe you want to open a new discussion. However when are you going to Siena ? For how long ?

Hi Paolo
I'm going to Siena on 6th sept - I'll be learning some Italian and tasting wine - I hope I'll have time to visit Firenze too
Lesley

Both are great choices as is Rome. I studied and lived in florence years ago.
Either choice, you'll be fine a lot depends on your lifestyle.

You're going to meet english and Italian speaking people whereever you go so just accept it. In fact, the beauty is you'll find Italian student wanting to learn/perfect English and you'll want to learn Italian so, as a student, you'll have an advantage of having something in common with many others just like you....and that's how beautiful friendships and relationships are made.

At the end, you'll need to decide for yourself what social and ethnic groups and to socialize with, but you'll figure that out too.
Good luck

Well Siena was beautiful - noy too big a place for me on my first trip away on my own - so next time (in the springtime) its Florence then Venice - i cant wait :-)

Only just got your message - Sienawas so beautiful and friendly - next time its Florence and Venice - I cant wait