CHICAGO HEIGHTS | San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy, is nearly 5,000 miles away with a seven- hour time difference, but when a group of 24 exchange students arrived in Chicago Heights recently, it was as if they were visiting old neighbors.

Lena Anastasia, coordinator of the Italian exchange program and former Italian language teacher at Bloom High School, said the young people from the two countries meshed very well.

"The (Italian) students have been enjoying themselves immensely. They have gone to Chicago and shopped the Magnificent Mile and to Navy Pier and Great America," she said.

Next year, it will be the Bloom High School students' turn to see the sights in Italy. "We switch. Every odd-numbered year we host them, and every even-numbered year, they host our students," Anastasia said.

The Italian students, ages 15 to 19, arrived June 24 and will return home today.

John Khuth said hosting 17-year-old Massimo D'Angelo has been a terrific experience. "We have been blessed to have such a well-rounded, mature young man staying with us. We teach him some English and he teaches us some Italian," he said.

Khuth said he and Massimo discussed Italian and American politics and architecture.

"We like Italian buildings because they are so old, and they like our buildings because they are new, but we try to build them with an old look. Massimo said they have a saying in Italy, 'The lawn is always greener in your neighbor's yard.' I told him we have a similar saying in America."

Lauren Piattoni's family welcomed 17-year-old Martina Amante into their home.

Piattoni, also 17, said there has been no culture shock. "We all have the same interests and are having a lot of fun together. The only thing that is really different is the food."

Martina said her experience in America has been a pleasant one. "It's so fun. I am enjoying myself and spending a lot of time with the group."