Thirteen students from the Italian bilingual school were involved, plus three teachers and the school’s principal, Trevor Strolla.

The trip took students to Rome, Florence, Urbino, Pesaro and Venice, and was an unforgettable experience for all.

Lasting two weeks, the immersive adventure went well beyond linguistics.

Lucas, one of the travellers, described it as one of the best experiences of his life.

Everyone was amazed by the Trevi Fountain, Murano glass and the marvellous Renaissance city of Florence.

The Italian tour was not just a cultural experience, but a human one.

In his first overseas trip, Lucas made new friends and felt a lot more independent than he was expecting, being so far away from his family.

Charlie also discovered new friends, which he hadn’t considered happening in his six years at school.

It might seem strange, but for children aged 10 and 11, it’s not always possible to venture outside a tight friendship group... at least not until a rich experience, like an overseas trip, is shared.

A true sense of community can be perceived in the photos and stories and group-created blog.

A special tie developed between the students as they had breakfast together each day, before heading out and discovering different worlds made up of flavours, atmospheres, streets, monuments and landscapes, never imagined before.

The children’s spirit of adaptation strengthened each day.

There were many tears before the long flight to Italy, but it was amazing to see those tears transform in smiles as the students took in the sight of the Colosseum for the first time.

This trip proved to be so important in the lives of the teachers and students who were lucky enought to experience it.

BSPS’s motto “learn together, create together, live together” represents this sense of growth, which is not only academic but compassionate, personal and at the same time communal.

For many children, the best experience was dressing up in the clothes of the Roman gladiators and fighting under the watch of the teachers, who took turns impersonating the emperor, who would have decided between life and death for those subjugated.

After a strenuous training session, two students took turns in battle while the other children played the role of spectators, shouting at the gladiators who were armed with heavy spades, shields, helmets and armour.

After exploring the grand cities of art, the children were enchanted by the ocean and out-of-season coastal tranquillity at Pesaro, and many will remember that swim in the azure waters of the Adriatic for years to come.

The layers of history that Italy has on offer, the ruins of Ostia Antica, and the magic of Venice were other surprises which will surely have a place in their hearts for many years to come.

These kids are little adults who learn about the size and diversity of the world at school, in both English and Italian.

They finally had the chance to see it with their own eyes, sharing the experience together.