There was an international flavour at a Letchworth school this month as a group of Italian teenagers visited for two weeks.

The Comet: The Italian visitors intermingled with their Fearnhill counterparts. Picture: Cora FletcherThe Italian visitors intermingled with their Fearnhill counterparts. Picture: Cora Fletcher (Image: Archant)

The 28 students from Milan – aged between 12 and 14 – were paired up with pupils from Fearnhill School’s Years 7, 8 and 9 during their stay.

They were billeted with families in St Neots to fully immerse themselves in the English way of life, and travelled to Letchworth by bus each day.

After school they enjoyed cultural and sporting activities run by the St Neots English Centre, including pottery painting, bowling, a disco and visits to Cambridge and London.

The visitors said they enjoyed their time at Fearnhill so much they would like to return next year as well.

The Comet: The Italian visitors at Fearnhill. Picture: Cora FletcherThe Italian visitors at Fearnhill. Picture: Cora Fletcher (Image: Archant)

Deputy head Katharine Lovell said: “It was a fantastic experience for all and I am very proud of our Fearnhill students for being such welcoming hosts.”

There was an emotional farewell as the two groups of students said goodbye, with telephone numbers and email addresses exchanged to stay in touch.

This is the third international visit Fearnhill has hosted in the past year. Last summer 20 students came over from Taiwan, and in September the school hosted 12 pupils from Spain.

To find out more see fearnhill.herts.sch.uk.

The Comet: The Italian visitors say farewell at Fearnhill. Picture: Cora FletcherThe Italian visitors say farewell at Fearnhill. Picture: Cora Fletcher (Image: Archant)