STRADE MAESTRE

I’m Edoardo, 19 years old, born and raised in Veneto. I attend the Leonardo Da Vinci scientific high school in Treviso, but only on this journey am I realising that I’m truly a child of Italy. An Italy made of nature, forests and rivers, with billions of little animals wherever you go, and an ecosystem that changes as we move north or south.

I’ve always loved nature (my dream is to become a marine biologist) but only on this trip have I been able to appreciate it from the inside and in its entirety. The place where these thoughts have really taken shape in my head has been the paths of the Magna Via Francigena in Sicily, especially after Milena: I remember a spot, a ridge that seemed to split Sicily in two. On one side the sea, on the other Mount Etna, far away yet unmistakable. An incredible view. Only those who were there with us can understand.

I truly love nature, and with Strade Maestre I’m discovering and loving a dimension that is becoming essential to me: travelling.

I’m Lolevia, 17 years old, from Alice Springs, Australia. I found out about this project while staying with Ariele in Florence during a cultural exchange with his school. I still don’t know how I managed to convince my parents to let me do this experience. I’m so happy to be here. I’m learning Italian, discovering Italy and a new way of studying and learning, even if the other students sometimes tease me because I say Italian words that don’t exist and make everyone laugh. In Australia you couldn’t do a project like this, it’s too hot and there’s the desert, so here I am.

I have a different school programme from the others, but I’m good at organising myself. I always find something to do. I’m learning so much. I love writing, drawing (I brought my art supplies with me), singing, and playing the piano. I’ve always had a lively spirit and a great zest for life, even though there was a time when I had eating disorders that put me in danger. Now I enjoy food with the appetite of a lion and want to make up for the time I lost during those years.

I live every day of this journey to the fullest. My routine is structured and full of activities: I wake up early to do yoga or study, and I just can’t sit still. I love to relax by doing complicated handstands wherever I am; it’s my personal way of finding calm and centring myself.

I’m Ariele, 18 years old. I’m in my fourth year at the Sports High School, from Impruneta, near Florence. I’m not someone who talks much—I’m reserved, a bit shy—but this journey is giving me a lot of satisfaction. Outside of Strade Maestre, I’m one of the flag-throwers in Florence’s historical parade. In fact, I designed the Strade Maestre flag, had it made, and brought it with me. When we arrive in a square or at a scenic spot, I love waving it.

On this journey I’ve started to open up more and I’m discovering new passions and talents I didn’t even know I had. One of these is the art of navigation and mapping, which we did a course on at the start of Strade Maestre. I like exploring the surroundings of the places we pass through. I also enjoy waking up early to watch the sunrise. On this journey I’ve collected some amazing dawns. Often my friends come with me.

I also love cinema. I brought a hard drive with me, and sometimes in the evening we organise film nights. In the group, I help everyone a bit when there’s a tech problem with the tablets or phones we need every day to study or to plan Strade Maestre.

I’m Gioele, 17 years old, from Grosseto. I’m the youngest in the group even though I’m taller than everyone else. I think I was the first person in Italy to sign up for Strade Maestre. As soon as I heard about it I wrote immediately. I boast the title of being the first enrolled student. It’s the perfect school for me since I hate the idea of sitting at a desk between four walls. I like to bring good cheer to the group! I always have a joke ready.

I’m in my fourth year at art high school. I have a creative mind. My passion for design makes me see the world differently. I don’t just look at objects: I study them, observe them with the eye of someone who wants to improve them, make them more functional, more beautiful. In Civita di Bagnoregio I made a notebook out of placemats from a pizzeria, binding the pages together with string.

I love sport—my life is a constant flow of activity: football, cycling, swimming. Every sport suits me perfectly; movement is my natural form of expression. Yet I’m an anxious and insecure type. I hope Strade Maestre will help me work on this. The sheer variety of stimuli here is so vast that it constantly distracts me, fascinates me and confuses me all at once. Every day feels like a challenge to stay on track.

I’m Aron, 18 years old, and I study at the Agricultural Institute. I’m from Prato. I love music, and on this trip I strapped my guitar to my backpack. When I play, the world around me seems even more beautiful. I get along with everyone here. This trip is awesome.

I’m a bit of a mess when it comes to organisation: my backpack is a sort of wandering chaos. Don’t even talk to me about schedules and appointments, but here at Strade Maestre I’m trying to get myself in line a bit. Then I make a joke and everyone laughs, so you can’t stay mad at me. I really like this class on the move.

I never sit still; climbing is one of my passions. For my birthday the Strade Maestre group gave me climbing shoes that I’ve hung on my backpack, and whenever I see a wall, a tree, or any surface to climb I’m the happiest person in the world. For me, the experience with Strade Maestre is a wonderful adventure. I haven’t yet found the balance between fun and the responsibility of studying. But I’ll get there.

I’m Neri, 18 years old. I’m from Florence and go to the same school as Ariele. He convinced me to come with him to Strade Maestre. At first I wasn’t sure I’d stay. I thought I’d do a month and then decide whether to continue or not. The fact that I’m still here says something, right? Strade Maestre was a leap into the unknown, a whirlwind experience that’s letting me explore myself outside of my usual environment.

Honestly, before Strade Maestre I never really put much effort into school, but I’m realising how many interesting things there are to discover around me. Here I’m even getting into subjects that aren’t part of my track and I often find myself attending other people’s lessons: philosophy, psychology, art, which aren’t in my curriculum.

The experience with Strade Maestre is an incredible opportunity for growth. Here, with this group and with the teachers who help me study and find a method, I’m finding new motivation to grow, both intellectually and emotionally. I love sport—I’m great at parkour. Needless to say, this experience lets me practise in some of Italy’s most beautiful places.

I’m Anna, 18 years old. I’m in my final year of Human Sciences high school. I’m from Spilimbergo, in Friuli, in the province of Pordenone. I like being available to help others, and Strade Maestre gives me that chance every day in these days when, besides studying, we also have to cook, clean, and pay attention to everyone’s needs. I’m also demanding with myself and well organised in my studies. When there’s time I get up earlier than the others to go running.

My sense of responsibility is as big as the weight of my backpack. When something goes wrong, even if it’s not my fault, I’m the first to feel guilty. I need to learn to let go more. As I face the challenges of studying and life, on the trail I’m slowly learning to recognise my limits.

I love being in nature and moving: orienteering, swimming, volleyball, and cycling aren’t just passions but also moments of release and reflection. What can I say? I needed a school like Strade Maestre that would let me move but also learn. This experience is awakening in me a desire for knowledge and a will to study that I’d never had before.

I’m Lisa, 18 years old, and in my final year of the language high school. I chose to join Strade Maestre because it meets my desire for a different way of learning. I really love animals. At home in Varese I have dogs and cats. My connection with the natural world and animal rights is very strong.

I’ve been vegetarian since I was eight and I appreciate the effort the Strade Maestre group makes to adapt to my needs. This is a group that includes everyone. I speak four languages—Italian, Dutch, French, and German—and this gives me a mental flexibility that shows in how I express myself. However, despite my linguistic skill, my words often carry a lot of insecurity.

I follow the lessons with interest, always thanking the teachers as if what they offer me is a precious gift. This unusual gratitude reveals a past of disappointing school experiences: I never had a good relationship with school, and here with my guide-teachers I’m amazed at how my interest in knowledge is being lit. Thanks to them for the care they take in involving me in the lessons.