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Scott family hosts exchange student’s family for Thanksgiving

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Erica Crossen
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  On average, families travel about 550 miles to be with family during the holiday season in America. But, Francesca Barbieri's family traveled over half the world to visit her for Thanksgiving.

The Barbieris are Italian and Francesca is a foreign exchange student at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, with her best friend Antonelle McBride. The friendship the two girls share is special--they are like family. The McBride household is where they both call home when they are not living on campus, and it is where their friendship began in August 2013, when Francesca arrived from Italy.

The McBride family was stationed in Italy for a total of seven years, and they missed the rich culture there. Master Sgt. Anton McBride, 375th Force Support Squadron, and his family welcomed Francesca into their home as a way to keep connected with Italy and to extend the opportunity to Francesca to experience America.

The Beriberis spent Thanksgiving with their daughter and her surrogate family after months of separation.

Francesca's father, Steffano, an Italian naval officer, speaks fluent English, while Francesca's mother, Antonella, speaks very little. However, the language barrier didn't exist in the McBride household, and the rolling Italian language was in the air over a dining table heaping with food, bringing the families closer.

They talked about things they liked in America, the American brands Francesca was wearing, and the fond memories the McBride's had from Italy, speaking of it as if it were home. In a way, Carman McBride, Anton's wife, said it is home, a part of their heart is always in Italy, and they will return someday.

Carman said, "Antonella, sono molto grato potresti essere qui, e fiduciosa la mia famiglia con la figlia, molto grazie," meaning, "I am very thankful you could be here, and [for] trusting my family with your daughter, many thanks."

Steffano said there isn't a holiday like Thanksgiving in Italy, and it's special to be a part of something his daughter talked about and loves.

This reunion was not only a way for both families to get to know each other, but for the Beriberis to see the life Francesca has led in Illinois.

Francesca took the opportunity to expand her horizons while she has been living with the McBrides, and this enabled her to continue her college education here. Because of her excellent grades, the Mascoutah High School graduate earned a $27,000 scholarship, and she is now studying Business Administration and Chinese Mandarin. The 18-year-old's main goal is to be an interpreter. She is an active band member at SIUE in addition to her studies, and plays the flute. She also tutors Italian language students at the campus. One goal for Francesca is to get her green card, because it may not be easy in Italy to continue her education after she has been here for her studies.

Carman said initially she was hesitant to open up her home to another teen, but she now says the decision to host Francesca has been a gift she has never regretted.

"Antonelle made it all possible, this wouldn't have happened had she not asked to invite Francesca," Carman said. "We wanted to make sure Francesca felt at home as soon as she got here, and we are very thankful and very lucky to have her in our lives."