A Journey Around the World Without Leaving Vicenza

Celebrating cultures at the H-FARM International Evening

What if travelling the world only required walking down a school corridor?

At H-FARM International School Vicenza, internationalism is not just a word in a mission statement. With nearly 50% of our students coming from international backgrounds, our classrooms and hallways are daily meeting points of languages, traditions and stories from across the globe.

Once a year, this everyday diversity becomes a celebration. On March 6th, our community gathered for the International Evening, an event that transformed the school into a vibrant cultural festival where families, students and staff came together to share their heritage.

A Community Celebration

The heart of the evening was the enthusiasm of our families, who represented their countries through food, music, art and personal stories. Each stand became a window into a different culture, inviting visitors to explore traditions and discover what makes every country unique.

This year, 12 countries were represented: Turkey, Mexico, Italy, Montenegro, Germany, Romania, Japan, Korea, Poland, Czech Republic, Greece, the United States and Brazil.

The school itself joined the celebration. Corridors were decorated with flags from around the world, creating a colourful and festive atmosphere that welcomed over 200 participants, including exhibitors and visitors.

Travelling Through Cultures

Walking through the school that evening felt like embarking on a journey across continents.

In one classroom, the aromas of Italian and Greek Mediterranean cuisine welcomed guests. A few steps further, visitors could discover the traditions of Poland, Montenegro and the Czech Republic. Another room offered a taste of Mexican specialties, while in another corner students could try Japanese origami or enjoy the vibrant energy of K-pop performances from Korea.

Elsewhere, guests could explore the beauty of American national parks, before ending their journey with a sweet note: traditional desserts from Turkey or Brazil.

Each stop was a story, a memory and a piece of identity shared with the community.

Living the IB Spirit

Events like the International Evening show how naturally the values of the International Baccalaureate live within our school community.

The IB philosophy encourages students to develop international-mindedness, curiosity about the world and respect for different perspectives. Experiences like this transform those principles into something tangible: a moment where cultures meet, differences are celebrated and students grow up understanding that diversity is a strength.

A Word from the Principal

As Ms. Alessandra Chiovati, Head of School, reflected:

“Such an event defines the true spirit of our school: a diverse community that comes together to learn from each other’s cultures and backgrounds, where students, parents, and teachers express the IB value of international-mindedness by showing openness, respect, and a willingness to understand perspectives from around the world.”

Growing Together

This vision is also reflected in the voices of our families, who played an active role in making the evening so special. As Vanessa Piva, a volunteer from the Italy team, shared:

“The International Evening was not just a celebration, but a genuine moment of connection between different cultures, people and stories. It was wonderful to see how, through food, traditions and sharing, a space was created where everyone felt part of something bigger: a community that believes in inclusion, mutual respect and the value of sharing. Creating moments of joy, curiosity and wonder for everyone, both young and old, without any distinction of age, language, origin or culture, is at the heart of the education every child should receive.”

Studying at H-FARM International School Vicenza means growing up in an environment where diversity is part of everyday life. It means learning that behind every language, recipe or tradition there is a story worth listening to.

And sometimes, discovering the world can begin with something as simple as stepping into a classroom.