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Independent Italian teen travels to United States for exchange program
Gainesville family hosts high schooler in home for 10 months
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Italian Giorgio Viano, right, sits with his host family, the Leeuwenburgs, in their Gainesville home. Giorgio, right, is a foreign exchange student attending Gainesville High School. He moved in with the Leeuwenburgs —from left, Drew, Preston, Penny and Blake — last Labor Day. - photo by NAT GURLEY
When most people think of study abroad programs, they think of spending a few months studying a second language in a foreign country in college. Few consider committing to live with a host family for 10 months. Fewer still consider doing it while in high school.