From the coastal blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea to the waving wheat fields of Oklahoma, foreign exchange student Giulia Scano is embracing a new culture during her junior year of high school.

Hosted by Will (Mark) and Beverley McCully and their four children, Scano left her hometown of Oristano, Sardinia, in Italy to explore Kingfisher and the United States.

Arriving in August to begin the school year, Scano said, “It was a little hard at first because I was in a different setting with different people that I didn’t know.

“It was very hard to get used to my routine, but I’m getting to know a lot of people here.”

Inspired by her older sister who participated in an exchange program in North Dakota, Scano said she had never been to the U.S. and wanted a new experience where she could get to know new people and a new culture.

Although she came from a relatively small town in Italy, Scano said it’s been different living in a rural setting, where there is no public transportation to take her wherever she wants to go.

“I’m used to having public transportation, so that’s difficult, but I like being surrounded by nature and having a lot of space to do outside activities,” she said.

In the fall, Scano ran cross country with her siblings of the host family, Terry Ann and Makaio McCully, at Kingfisher High School and also enjoyed attending football games.

“We don’t have football,” Scano said. “I had never been to a football game before and it’s fun.

“It was also fun because every game has a theme and you get to dress up for the team.”

Another new experience Scano said she’s looking forward to is attending basketball games and also has plans to attend an NBA Thunder game with one of her new friends.

In Italy, Scano said, the school system is focused primarily on academics and “it’s basically just studying,” with any extracurricular sports and activities occurring outside of school.

“I like that there are a lot of activities linked with the school,” Scano said.

“School has been my favorite part because of the school spirit the students have and there are a lot of activities, clubs and opportunities,” she added.

Scano also is taking health career classes at Chisholm Trail Technology Center and was a participant on the Christmas parade float.

In her hometown, Scano said they celebrate Christmas, but it’s much bigger here with all the lights, Christmas sweaters, etc.

Having hosted several exchange students through the years, Will said, “We really enjoy getting to know students from other cultures and learning from them, as well as exposing them to Oklahoma life.

“This year when we were looking over the list of potential students, Giulia’s profile caught our eyes as she has a few things in common with Terry Ann and I was intrigued by the island of Sardinia,” he added.

As a host family, Will said they were excited to share a slice of Americana by introducing Scano to the experience of preparing baked goods for the county fair.

“My sister came over and taught the kids how to bake bread and Giulia made a Swedish tea ring to enter in the fair,” he said.

In addition, the family topped off the fair

From Italy to Kingfisher season by taking in the sights and sounds of the Oklahoma State Fair.

“Giulia turned out to be quite the daredevil and rode ride after ride, enjoying all the thrills,” he said.

Some of the other activities Scano has experienced while in the U.S. include a Sadie Hawkins dance, donning a pirate costume for the annual 4-H Halloween Fright Night, a road trip to Kansas for Thanksgiving and the Christmas spirit of Kingfisher Winter Nights.

Hoping to see snow while she’s here, Scano said it doesn’t snow or get as cold in Sardinia, but it does get hot there, although it’s a different type of heat.

Only 15 minutes from the coast, Scano said, at home, she likes hanging out with her friends at the beach, playing volleyball and going to the cinema.

Although she’s enjoying her time here, Scano said she does miss her family, friends, the sea and, most definitely, the food.

“I think one of the big differences is the food,” Scano said. “It’s not like I don’t like American food, but I like the food in Italy better.”

When asked what an American should experience if they make their way to Italy, Scano enthusiastically said, “You absolutely have to go to the coast because we have the best sea in the world.

“You also have to go to the restaurants and try the typical foods because they’re the best…and meet the Sardinian people because they’re awesome…” As a host family, Will said, “The experience is rewarding in a number of ways.

“Since Beverley is from Jamaica, we’re already a multicultural family, so I guess we’re just naturally open to learning about different cultures.”

When Scano returns to Italy at the end of the school year, she will complete her senior year of high school, then she plans to attend college and determine what career field she would like to pursue.

When you get here, you don’t know anyone or the place and have to figure it out, Scano said, but she’s learned to not be as shy, talk with people and do things by herself, like manage her money on her own.

“When I came here, everyone helped me get used to my routine and also the teachers are very friendly,” Scano said.

“I like the American people because they’re friendly and very kind and they’re also very patriotic.”