I stayed the first night at a hotel. In the morning I bought a map and went to see the
University, and I rented a room in a house. I walked through the city to my classes every
morning - Italian men said: 'Ciao bella!' I liked it!
I spoke a little Italian from school but when I arrived in Rome I couldn't understand people,
and I spoke ENglish or Polish with other Erasmus students. But then I started going to
Italian classes and I also made friends with some Italians. They helped me a lot. After three
months I could speak quite well. Another problem was that Rome is very expensive, but I
found a job in an Irish pub and I worked three evenings a week.
I learnt a lot about Italy and Italians: you cannot start a day wihtout a coffee, Italian food is
the best in the world - but don't ask for ketchup- And the number one topic of conversation
in bars is politics and football.
Erasmus changed my life. I lived a different life in a fantastic city. I met new people from all
over the world and made some wonderful friends. I learnt to understand another culture. Of
course it wasn't all perfect - living in another country isn't easy, and an Italian boy broke my
heart!
I came back from Italy a year ago, but a small part of me stayed in Rome. I drink espresso
every morning, eat a lot of pasta, and I use my hands a lot when I speak. Now I feel
European, bot only Polish.
Exercise 1: Vocabulary and Comprehension
Match the words from the text with their meanings.
1. University
2. Rented
3. Classes
4. Expensive
5. Pub
6. Culture
Meanings:
a. A place where people go to study and learn.
b. Costing a lot of money.
c. A place where people go to drink and socialize, often serving alcoholic beverages.
d. The customs, beliefs, art, and way of life of a particular group of people.
e. Paid money to temporarily use something, like a room.
f.
Regular lessons or sessions for learning.
Exercise 2: True or False: Decide if the following statements are true or false based on the text.
Joanna arrived in Rome speaking fluent Italian.
Joanna found a job in a coffee shop.
People in Italy often talk about sports and cooking.
Living in a foreign country is always easy and problem-free.
Joanna loves Rome even after leaving. to leave
Exercise 3: Fill in the Blanks: Complete the sentences with the correct words from the text.
In the morning, I bought a _____ and went to see the University.
I rented a _____ in a house.
I walked through the city to my _____ every morning.
After three months, I could speak Italian _____ well.
I found a job in an Irish _____ and worked three evenings a week.
Italian food is the _____ in the world.
The number 1 topics of conversation in bars were _____ and football.
Exercise 4: Rewrite the sentences in the past tense.
I stay the first night at a hotel.
I buy a map and go to see the University.
I rent a room in a house.
I speak a little Italian.
I can’t start a day without a coffee.
Italian men say, 'Ciao bella!'
Exercise 5: Change the following sentences to negative:
Italian food is the best in the world.
Erasmus changed my life.
I stayed the first night at a hotel.
I bought a map and went to see the University.
I rented a room in a house.
I speak a little Italian.
I can start a day without a coffee.
Italian men say, 'Ciao bella!'
Exercise 5: Fill in the blanks with the correct forms of the verbs in parentheses.
When I arrived in Rome, I couldn't understand people because I (not speak) ______ Italian well.
I (start) ______ going to Italian classes.
After three months, I (learn) ______ to speak quite well.
I (find) ______ a job in an Irish pub to support myself.
Italian food (be) ______ the best in the world.
Exercise 6: Fill in the Blanks with Simple Past Verbs
I ________________ the first night at a hotel. (stay)
In the morning, I ________________ a map and ________________ to see the University. (buy, go)
I ________________ a room in a house. (rent)
I ________________ through the city to my classes every morning. (walk)
Italian men ________________: 'Ciao bella!' I ________________ it! (say, like)
I ________________ a little Italian from school, but when I ________________ in Rome, I couldn't
understand people. (speak, arrive)
I ________________ English or Polish with other Erasmus students. (speak)
Then, I ________________ going to Italian classes and ________________ friends with some Italians.
(start, make)
They ________________ me a lot. (help)
After three months, I ________________ speak quite well. (can)
Rome ________________ very expensive, but I ________________ a job in an Irish pub and
________________ three evenings a week. (be, find, work)
Exercise 7: Rearrange the Sentences
in a house / a room / I / rented.
through the city / every morning / I / walked / to my classes.
'Ciao bella!' / said / Italian men.
Italy and Italians / a lot about / I / learnt.
changed / Erasmus / my life.
to understand / I / another culture / learnt.
wasn't easy / living in another country / Of course.
A small part / stayed / of me / in Rome.
I / every morning / espresso / drink.
my hands / when I speak / I / a lot / use.
Exercise 8: True or False
I stayed at a hotel for several nights. ( )
I bought a map and visited the University in the afternoon. ( )
Italian men greeted me with 'Ciao bella!' and I didn't like it. ( )
I initially spoke Italian fluently when I arrived in Rome. ( )
I only spoke English and Polish with other Erasmus students. ( )
I started taking Italian classes and made friends with Italians. ( )
Italian culture and customs had no impact on me. ( )
I found a job at a pub and worked during the day. ( )
Erasmus had no effect on my life. ( )
I never felt connected to Rome after leaving. ( )
___________________________________________________________________________
Exercise Set 3: Discussion and Reflection
Discussion Questions: Discuss these questions with a partner or write down your answers.
How did the protagonist feel about their first experiences in Rome?
What steps did the protagonist take to improve their Italian language skills?
How did working in an Irish pub help the protagonist?
What aspects of Italian culture did the protagonist learn about?
How did the Erasmus experience change the protagonist's perspective?
Reflect on Cultural Differences: Write about a cultural difference you've observed between your own
country and another. Explain how this difference has affected your understanding or behavior.
a) What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad like the writer did?
b) Have you ever experienced a cultural shock? How did you handle it?
Reflect on the text:
a) What do you think the writer means when they say, "a small part of me stayed in Rome"?
b) How do you feel about the idea of feeling both European and your own nationality, as the writer
does?
Imagine you are the writer. Write a diary entry about a particularly memorable day you had during your
time in Rome.
Exercise Set 4: Writing and Expression

Write a paragraph about a unique cultural experience you've had or would like to have in a
foreign country.


Imagine you are giving advice to someone who is about to embark on an Erasmus journey to a
foreign country. Write a list of 5 practical tips for them to make the most of their experience.


Write a short story about two friends, one from Italy and the other from Poland, who meet
during their Erasmus program and share their experiences and cultural differences.
A Memorable Trip
Once upon a time, there was a young girl named Emma. She wanted to go on an
exciting adventure. One summer, Emma decided to visit a new city. She packed
her bags, said goodbye to her family, and left for the journey.
Emma met many new friends during her trip. She stayed at a cozy hotel near the
city center. The hotel room was small, but she liked it because it was comfortable.
The next morning, Emma bought a colourful map to explore the city. She wanted
to see all the interesting places.
Emma walked through the city's streets every day. People said friendly greetings
as she passed by. They would often say, "Hello!" or "Good morning!" One day,
Emma rented a bicycle to see more of the city. She spoke to the local people and
tried her best to communicate in their language.
Feeling inspired, Emma started taking pictures of the beautiful buildings and
parks. She made a lot of memories during her trip. She even found a local market
where she bought delicious fruits and snacks.
During her time in the city, Emma learned many new things about the culture and
traditions. She noticed how people liked to start their day with a cup of coffee.
She also realized that the city's food was amazing, especially the local dishes.
As the days went by, Emma felt that her perspective on life was changing. She was
living a different life in a new place. She loved the experience of meeting people
from different backgrounds.
Finally, the time came for Emma to come back home. She felt a mixture of
happiness and sadness. Even though she was leaving the city, a small part of her
would always stay there. Now, whenever she drinks coffee, speaks with people
from different countries, or looks at the photos she took, she remembers the
wonderful journey that changed her life forever.
Exercise Set 1: Vocabulary and Comprehension
Match the verbs with their meanings:
a) meet
b) stay
c) buy
d) rent
e) say
f) like
g) speak
h) start
i) make
j) find
k) learn
l) change
m) live
n) come back
Meanings:
To have as a place of residence temporarily.
To say words to express thoughts, information, or feelings.
To gain knowledge or skills through study or experience.
To acquire or obtain something by paying for it.
To create, produce, or form something.
To enjoy or have a positive feeling towards something.
To encounter or see someone for the first time.
To move or exist in a certain place or condition.
To begin doing something.
To find or discover something.
To change in appearance, state, or nature.
To return to a place after being away.
To communicate using a language.
To exchange words or greetings.
Answer the following questions:
a) Where did Emma stay during her trip?
b) What did Emma buy to explore the city?
c) How did people greet Emma in the city?
d) What did Emma learn about the city's culture?
e) How did Emma feel when it was time to come back home?
Exercise Set 2: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate form of the verbs given in parentheses.
During her trip, Emma ______________ many new friends. (meet)
Emma decided to ______________ at a cozy hotel. (stay)
Emma wanted to explore, so she ______________ a colorful map. (buy)
Emma ______________ a bicycle to see more of the city. (rent)
People in the city ______________ friendly greetings. (say)
Emma really ______________ the comfortable hotel room. (like)
She ______________ to the local people in their language. (speak)
Emma ______________ taking pictures of the city's landmarks. (start)
At the local market, she ______________ delicious fruits. (find)
During her trip, Emma ______________ about the city's traditions. (learn)
Emma's journey ______________ her perspective on life. (change)
Even though she left, a small part of Emma's heart ______________ in the city. (stay)
Emma was excited to ______________ home after her trip. (come back)
Exercise Set 3: True or False
Read the statements and decide if they are true or false based on the information in the text.
Emma met old friends during her trip. ( )
Emma stayed at a hotel near the city center. ( )
Emma bought a colorful book to explore the city. ( )
Emma rented a car to explore the city. ( )
People in the city didn't greet Emma at all. ( )
Emma didn't like the hotel room she stayed in. ( )
Emma didn't speak with the local people. ( )
Emma started taking pictures of the city's landmarks. ( )
Emma found a local market and bought delicious snacks. ( )
Emma didn't learn anything about the city's culture. ( )
Emma's perspective on life remained the same. ( )
Emma left a part of her heart in the city. ( )
Emma was sad to return home after her trip. ( )