Coming from two different countries, the pair started off as strangers. But, as the smell of German baked treats and Italian meatballs wafted through the air, all while the two explored the sport of lacrosse together, juniors Enrico Bonfiglio and Noel Nehlich strengthened their bond under the Wright home in a whole new country.

Orchestra teacher Thomas Wright has been hosting exchange students for the past 25 years and this year two students with different lifestyles from Italy and Germany join him and his wife. 

Now with both exchange students settling into the Wright home, there are a variety of different cultures wafting through the walls. 

“We feel like we’re a citizen of the planet because we’ve got these connections literally all over the world,” Wright said. 

Coming from Italy, Bonfiglio’s journey to the U.S. began when his friend, a former exchange student of the Wrights, told him about his good experience with them.

Although the Wrights were planning on hosting only one exchange student this year, they opened their hearts for another. 

Nechlich has been playing the cello for many years, and as an orchestra teacher, Wright adores sharing his love of music with others. Wright has only hosted one string player before, and he was excited at the opportunity to host another one upon a recommendation from his coordinator. 

“Oh we couldn’t say no,” Wright said.

Once the information was sorted out, Bonfiglio and Nehlich began their year-long experience in the U.S.

Stepping foot on a completely different continent brought many surreal feelings, so for the two exchange students, they couldn’t help to notice how different things in America were compared to where they came from. 

Bonfiglio first noticed the stark contrast in the surroundings.

“All of it was different from Italy, like the airport,” Bonfiglio said.

Aside from recognizing the differing physical features of America, Nehlich noticed the social culture within his new community.

“(Americans are) very open people,” Nechlich said. 

Regardless of how far away Bonfiglio and Nechlich are from home and how the U.S. differs, the Wrights always make sure that they cherish the boys’ cultures while in the U.S.

As they strive to appreciate their cultures, the Wright couple has grown aware of the German and Italian heritage prevalent in the Indianapolis community, and they hope to explore it further.

Whether it’s going to bakeries or festivals, the Wrights always make sure they go together as a family.

 “We try to make those connections … if there’s an Italian thing that comes up, then we’ll make sure that we get Enrico to come along,” Wright said.

In addition to the boys learning about American culture, they also gained the opportunity to learn about each other’s cultures.

For example, Nechlich has been able to understand Italian culture through his conversations with Bonfiglio, in which they exchange information and show each other pictures. 

“I’ve experienced the food, like when he brought noodles from Italy and we tried that,” Nechlich said.

As the two have grown closer together, they’ve managed to help each other in this new world. 

“Noel helped me with a lot of things, but not because he’s German, but because he’s a good person,” Bonfiglio said

As their journey together lengthens, the boys and the Wright couple grow their love and share their culture with one another.