At Platteview High School, education goes beyond academics; it’s also about building connections across the globe. Each year, PHS welcomes international students from around the world through a program called Education First. This program provides opportunities for students of various ages to participate in language learning, academic study, and cultural exchange. Hosting international students enriches the school community by exposing students to new cultures while allowing students to experience what life in an American high school is like.
For the first semester of the 2025–26 school year, Platteview is proud to host two international students: Lorenzo Cancian (12) and Andrea Zincani (12). Like many new arrivals, they face both excitement and challenges as they adjust to their new environment.
One of our standout international students is Lorenzo Cancian (12), who comes to PHS from Italy with a spirit of adventure and a strong desire to learn about American culture. As he dives into this new experience, he is quickly discovering both the differences and similarities between life in Italy and life as a Trojan. His resilience shows in the way he approaches every challenge. For example, since Italy doesn’t have American football, Lorenzo is learning the sport from the ground up.
He shared some key differences between the two school systems:
- In the U.S., high school consists of four years, but in Italy, it lasts for five. Even though Lorenzo is considered a senior here and earns credit for his year at Platteview, he will return to Italy for one more year of high school before graduating.
- In Italy, the school day runs from 8:10 a.m. to 1:10 p.m., and students typically go home for lunch.
- Italian schools don’t offer as many electives as PHS, and classes are even held on Saturdays.
Despite these differences, Lorenzo is excited about the opportunities Platteview offers. One of his biggest goals is to become fluent in English. Reflecting on his preparation for this experience, he says, “I didn’t do anything in particular to prepare as an international student; all I wanted was to embrace the new culture.”
Although he misses his friends and authentic Italian food, Lorenzo has embraced the Platteview community, its culture, academics, extracurricular activities, and new friendships. His openness to growth makes him a valued member of the school.
