Scrolling through social media is a leisure activity that most people use to pass the time, but sometimes it can be life-changing, as it was for the Leonilda (Ilda) and Mike Bara family of New Ipswich.
Over the Fourth of July weekend in 2025, Ilda saw a Facebook post from Cultural Homestay International (CHI) announcing its need to place international students for the coming school year. Ilda said she “immediately saw it as a great opportunity to help a student experience America. My family was very excited and urged me to contact the coordinator.”
Since her parents were from Italy, she decided to narrow the search to Italian students. One student stood out because her profile said she was easygoing and eager to try new things. Serena Luongo, daughter of Debora and Antonio Luongo of Rocca di Papa, a suburb of Rome, arrived in August 2025, and on June 6, walked across the stage at Mascenic Regional High School’s graduation ceremony.
During the school year, Serena played on the Mascenic volleyball team, which she absolutely loved.
“I felt like a professional athlete, like Michael Jordan, when I walked across the gym floor. For me, it was a big deal.” she said.
She was also part of the stage crew for Mascenic’s production of “Arsenic and Old Lace” and participated in the “Vikes and Tykes” program, pairing high school students with Highbridge Hill Elementary School students. A highlight was attending Mascenic’s casino-themed prom in a sparkly blue dress.
Outside of school, Serena traveled to California and Washington, D.C., and was even able to take in a Bruins game. She has shared her language, traditions and cooking with her host family, and presented “Explore Italy,” a presentation she created, to the Mascenic school community.
In her presentation, Serena reflected on her exchange experience: “To achieve something meaningful in life, you can’t let unfounded fears hold you back. I’ve learned that taking risks is essential; you just have to believe in yourself.” Serena hopes to return to the U.S. for college after she finishes one more year at the Liceo Artistico Amari-Mercuri, where she is studying architecture.