Kiama High language teacher Francesca Crocco said Kiama had enjoyed a partnership with the Liceo Scientifico Giovanni Marinelli school in Italy since 2002. 

Six students from the Italian school arrived in Kiama little more than a month ago, and have been attending the high school and living with host families.

Mrs Crocco said the exchange student program was a key learning experience for Kiama’s year 10 and 11 students currently studying Italian.

Kiama High year 10 students Simone Pettit and Owen Sutherland and their families have hosted students from the sister school. ‘‘You learn more the dialects type of Italian, instead of just the dry, normal stuff, and actually use what you learn,’’ Owen said.

‘‘Just learning about Italy; the culture, the food, the language,’’ Simone said.

Mrs Crocco said the Italian students gave up their summer holidays to visit Australia for the two-month exchange.

‘‘During that time they come to school, and during the weekends their host families bring them to see various places,’’ she said.

‘‘It’s fantastic, because it’s a reciprocal program... And when our students go over there, their Italian just improves out of sight.’’

Visiting student Samuele De Lorenzi, 17, said Australia was ‘‘really beautiful’’ and enjoyed building on his English language skills. 

‘‘I love the places, the people, everyone,’’ he said.

‘‘I can’t choose (a favourite part).’’

The Italian students are due to fly home on August 22, with their Kiama High counterparts slated to visit their new friends in November.