Paraguayan exchange students hope to experience new things in the U.S.
Exchange students Juan Zarate and Denis Sitzmann play a traditional Paraguayan song for Free State spanish students. The group of Paraguayans arrived on Jan. 16 and will leave on Feb. 20.
As nine exchange students from Paraguay stepped off the plane and into the Kansas City airport, they were greeted with colorful signs and smiling faces. For five weeks, they will bear the frigid Kansas temperatures instead of enjoying their hot summer break, in hopes to learn more about American language and culture.
For the second year in a row, senior Laura Crabtree decided to host a student from the landlocked South American country. This year, however, was different because since Crabtree went to Paraguay this past summer, she had already met her “sister.”
“The best part about hosting is having another sister around,” Crabtree said. “It’s so much fun to hang out with her all the time and watch her experience a bunch of firsts. She’s such a sweet and loving person she’s definitely already apart of the family.”
This experience overall is so amazing and allows you to really think outside of your own little world.
— senior Laura Crabtree
Crabtree’s exchange student, Marilé Fernandez, sees many differences here, specifically the snow, the large shopping centers and houses. Fernandez hopes to take advantage of her time here.
“I hope to meet a lot of people, make friends and learn a little more [about] the English language,” she said.
While Crabtree has had a positive experience with hosting, she acknowledges it can be a large commitment.
“You want and need to devote so much time to the person and program,” Crabtree said. “It’s hard to balance it with an already busy schedule of work, school homework and other commitments.”
According to exchange student Sara Martínez, who is staying with junior Sydney Voglesang, the classes and teachers are two of the biggest differences she’s noticed. She has studied at an english language school and hopes to experience a little bit of what life in the U.S. is like.
“Since I’ve studied for so many years, my English is pretty good but it’s not the same practicing in a classroom in your comfort zone, than in a whole different country where the only thing that you have most of the time is you and your knowledge,” Martínez said.
During this time, Crabtree hopes not only to gain a friend, but new skills and a new outlook on her life.
“I hope to gain another friend for life that I will be able to stay connected to, and maybe even go back to visit,” Crabtree said. “This experience overall is so amazing and allows you to really think outside of your own little world.”
