Alessandra "Ali" Audano is a long way from home today, her 16th birthday.

She misses her family – mother Bruna, father Francesco, sister Regina and brother Michele are across the Atlantic in Audano’s hometown of Pinerolo, Italy.

But despite the miles separating her from her family and her home, Audano says that she has no regrets about becoming an exchange student at Artesia High School.

"I like living in Artesia a lot," Audano says. "It’s a quiet city, and everybody here is family."

Audano came to AHS through the American Field Service (AFS) foreign exchange student program. Although she is only 16 years old, she is classified as a senior and will receive her honorary graduation certificate as a member of the Class of 2003.

A bright and friendly student, Audano has become a favorite at AHS among classmates and teachers alike.

As for her American high school experience, Audano says it’s quite a bit different than high school in Italy.

"In Italy, we have high schools for all different subjects," she says. "Some prepare you for college and some prepare you for work.

"We don’t have the same subjects every day, we have a week schedule. We have a choice of many subjects, and we finish in five years."

Audano says that Italian high school students select courses that are geared specifically toward what they wish to do after graduation, whether it be entering the work force or attending college.

"If you want to go to college for foreign languages, you take subjects like Latin or English," says Audano, "and if you want to study geography or history, that is separate."

The biggest difference between Italian and American high school, Audano notes, however, is sports.

"We don’t have football in Italy, we have only soccer, and so it’s funny to watch football," she says. "Also at soccer games, we don’t have a band or flag girls."

Audano says that Italian teens wishing to participate in sports must join a "club," as sports are not a part of their school system.

Audano herself was a key member of the Bulldog volleyball team this season. Her strong offensive play helped lead the Bulldogs to their District 4-AAAA second-place finish.

"It was fun playing volleyball," she says. "But it was very serious, like in a club in Italy."

Audano also plays tennis and softball but says she’s unsure as to whether she will participate at AHS.

"I play just for fun," she laughs.

For fun back home, Audano says she and her friends enjoy a variety of activities.

"We stay together, and there are many concerts we can go to, some that can last for two days, and we go bowling and to the disco."

While there aren’t as many options here in Artesia, Audano says she has fun with her host family, Darrel and Michelle Brown of Lakewood and their children Danny, who is away at college, Lynda and David.

"We stay together, and we go to the movie store and play some sports," says Audano. "I like living with the Browns. We joke around a lot."

One final major difference between New Mexico and Italy that Audano points out is the food.

"My favorite food in Italy is scallopina," she says. "It’s a kind of meat you cook with wine."

While she may be hard pressed to find such a delicacy here in Artesia, Audano says she has settled on an alternative – burritos.

"I like the burritos," she says. "I had never had one before."

Following her return to Italy, Audano says she will have one final year of high school to complete before she is eligible to attend college.

"I want to go to college," she says. "I want to be a notary."

But whatever path she takes in the future, Audano says she will always remember her time in Artesia.