Marta's Story: Love, Life, and Living Abroad

Marta Ricevuto, a CIEE BridgeUSA High School participant in 2020-2021, lives in Italy. Here, she shares her memories of her exchange year in Vermont.

I often think about my exchange year, and even now – five years later – I’m reminded of how incredibly lucky I was to live such a meaningful experience. Sometimes it doesn’t even feel real, almost like a dream.

Beyond growing into a more independent young woman, what stands out most are the memories and, above all, the connections I made. I still keep in touch with my host family every day, and over the years they’ve hosted me several times. As they always say, “You are part of our family, and you will always have a place in our home.”

My exchange year wasn’t without hardship. I had to face painful and unexpected circumstances, but the love of my family back in Italy and the constant support of everyone I met in the U.S. helped me through it. Looking back now, I can say that those challenges shaped me deeply, strengthening my resilience and teaching me to appreciate life and every moment more fully – also in honor of those who are no longer by my side.

Sometimes I wonder what my life would look like if I had never ended up in a small rural village in Vermont, and I couldn’t be more grateful that I did. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. Sometimes I think that this was exactly how my story was meant to unfold: meeting the love of my life on my very first day of school.

Living in a new country, learning a new language, and immersing myself in different traditions and cultures deeply shaped who I am today. In the years since, traveling and meeting people from all over the world has only reinforced that growth. Now, I go out of my way to talk to people I don’t know, even just for a few words, eager to learn about their language, culture, or story, appreciating every detail they choose to share.

Distance is never easy. Some connections fade with time, while others grow stronger when love and effort are truly there. I never imagined I would find my soulmate on the other side of the world, but love finds its own way. A long-distance relationship wasn’t part of the plan, yet I can confidently say I found my person. As my fiancé and I always say, we’d rather be together but far apart than not together at all.

Despite the challenges, distance has allowed us to grow both as individuals and as a couple, always supporting and cheering for one another. Introducing him to my world – my friends, family, and hometown – and to all the places that shaped me was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. Many people doubted us, but when there is trust and respect, loving someone feels natural. And here we are, five years later: engaged, happier than ever, and hopeful to finally build our life together soon. 

Reconnecting with people from my early life hasn’t always been easy, mostly because I wasn’t the same girl anymore. Living abroad changes you in quiet but powerful ways, making you more mature without even realizing it. Coming back home sometimes felt like I had moved forward while everything else stood still. Still, with love, time, patience, and effort, those gaps slowly begin to close, even if only you can truly feel them.

An exchange year may seem like just one chapter of your life, but one day you’ll realize that it shaped the entire story, including both the light and the difficult parts. Value every moment, even the tough ones, because they make up your life’s story. Time goes by faster than you think, but the beauty of these experiences will stay in your heart forever, like a timeless treasure.

If you're an international high school student, you can travel to America, too. Learn more about the CIEE BridgeUSA High School exchange program.