Making friends from around the world: Alessandra’s EF adventure

Meet Alessandra, a 20-year-old language student from Italy with a passion for singing, reading, and exploring the world. Her journey with EF has taken her to two exciting destinations, EF Santa Barbara and EF Miami Beach, and beyond as an EF Ambassador, all in pursuit of perfecting her English. In this interview, Alessandra opens up about what it’s really like to live and learn abroad — from making international friends to trying new activities.

If you’re dreaming of your own language adventure, her story might just be the inspiration you need. 

Alessandra, what did you enjoy most about your EF experience abroad?

Alessandra: I love to meet new people from all over the world. We share moments, we share our cultures, and that is something completely unique. 

Can you tell us more about the people you met on your language course?

Alessandra: I met my roommates, and they were from Japan, Korea, and France. The day I arrived, we went out, so it was easy to meet new friends. Class was also a great way to meet people. There were around 20 people in a class, and we would talk about anything — our lives and our cultures. You meet people from all over the world. Now I'm organizing for my friend from Belgium to come to Milan and visit me, and I’ll go to visit her too. So it's a really good way to make friends.

Tell us about the English language course you took with EF and your classes. 

Alessandra: We had class every day, Monday to Friday. They were in the morning or in the afternoon, and they were 45 minutes long. During class, we worked on grammar using textbooks, but we also had conversations with the teacher and other students to practice. 

Once a week, we worked on a group project. I loved this because we talked with other people from different cultures, and we also got to be creative. It was a lot of fun doing projects and presentations. We also had SPIN classes once a week. This is an interest-based class, and I chose social media, but there were also SPIN classes in cinema, games, music, and more. I loved that.

What was your English language level when you started? And what is it now?

Alessandra: I started with B2 at EF Santa Barbara. Then I got the C1 certification. When I went to EF Miami Beach, I started with C1.1 and I ended with C1.2.

Let’s talk about EF destinations. What were your favorite local spots in Miami Beach and Santa Barbara?

Alessandra: Everything was beautiful in Miami, but I think the best thing was the beach in front of the school. Literally — we had the beach in front of the campus! And when we finished school, we went to relax, play volleyball, and share a lot of moments there. 

In Santa Barbara, I liked the main street because there were many shops. Every afternoon, we went shopping or got ice cream. It was the best.

What helped you settle into life in the United States? Did you find anything difficult?  

Alessandra: I think the most helpful thing was the EF Staff and the other international students. They helped me orient myself and understand how the classes worked. Also, I think doing activities was helpful. I met a lot of people this way — they showed me how things work, like the school, the city, and where to go. 

Where did you live while studying abroad?

Alessandra: When I was in Santa Barbara, I stayed in a residence. And while in Miami, on campus. I preferred the campus because it's more comfortable to have my classes, places to eat, and my room, all in the same place. And because there was a swimming pool and the beach right in front of the school.

Which EF activities did you try? Do you have a favorite one?

Alessandra: In Miami, I went to see a baseball match between Miami and Los Angeles. We also went to the Bahamas, Key West, and Orlando to Universal Studios. My favorite activity was the Bahamas. We were only there for one day, but we went to the beach to relax — it was a paradise!

Can you share a funny story or an unforgettable experience you had while on an EF trip?

Alessandra: I think the funniest thing was when we went to the Bahamas, we forgot that the Bahamas isn’t in America. Because of this, we didn't have internet all day, but at the same time, it was a positive thing. So we stayed without our phones on the beach, relaxing, and we only used our phones for photos. I think that was the best day of our trip — it was funny, but also nice.

What do you enjoy most about being an EF Ambassador?

Alessandra: The most beautiful thing about being an EF Ambassador is sharing your experience. I use social media to do this, and I love inspiring others to embark on a similar journey. The EF Ambassador community is great — you get to meet so many other people who love to travel! 

Alessandra’s story with EF is a reminder that learning a language abroad isn’t just about lessons in the classroom — it’s about discovering new places, meeting new people, and growing in ways you never expected.

Ready to start your own journey?