Jessi, an American mom, took her Italian husband Alessio on a back-to-school shopping trip that revealed just how extensive and unusual American school supply lists can be, offering a humorous yet eye-opening look at this uniquely U.S. tradition.
- American school supply lists often include communal classroom items.
- Teachers frequently spend hundreds from their own pockets each year.
- Parents worldwide find the U.S. back-to-school demands uniquely extensive.
What happened
Jessi and Alessio Pasini, a popular content-creating couple, recently shared a video documenting Alessio’s first experience with American back-to-school shopping. Having grown up primarily in Italy, Alessio was shocked by the length and detail of the supply list. Instead of just buying basic items for their child, the list included multiple packs of glue sticks, dry erase markers, paper towels, and hand sanitizer for the whole classroom and the teacher—items he had never encountered in Europe.
Their shopping trip at a local Target quickly became a comical struggle to meet the exact quantities and specific brands demanded by the list. Alessio’s disbelief grew as he realized the supplies were far beyond the usual notebooks and pencils he expected, highlighting the “full American experience” of preparing a classroom for the school year.
Why it feels good
Though the lists can feel overwhelming or even excessive, they reflect a deeply communal approach to education in the U.S. where parents contribute supplies not just for individual students but for entire classrooms and teachers. This shared sense of responsibility helps keep schools running smoothly despite tightening budgets.
Educators often deal with significant financial strain, spending an average of over $500 annually from their own funds to fill gaps left by school budgets. Understanding this reality can foster greater appreciation for both the exhaustive lists and the sacrifices teachers make to provide effective learning environments.
What to enjoy or watch next
For those interested in how cultural differences shape family life, Jessi and Alessio’s content offers many humorous and heartwarming insights. Their Instagram reel about back-to-school shopping is a great starting point, capturing the relatable challenge of American school preparations through the eyes of someone new to the experience.
Parents, educators, and curious viewers might also enjoy exploring conversations on social media where others share their own back-to-school shopping adventures and frustrations. These stories reveal the universal effort families put into fostering successful school years—while sometimes laughing together at the quirks that make the process uniquely American.