EDUCATION: A chance to learn the language

By Caitlin Murray<br><a href="mailto:murrayc@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Caitlin</a>
Niagara Gazette

July 17, 2008 11:11 pm

— Summertime is usually when students take a break from the daily school routine and maybe even do some traveling — but a group of teenagers from Spain are here doing both.
The group of 21 students from all over Spain came overseas three weeks ago to stay with families in Niagara Falls, Lockport, North Tonawanda and Grand Island for a month of soaking in American culture and brushing up on their English.
They’ve spent their time getting to know Niagara County, with a visits to Artpark, the falls and the Lockport Locks.
They’re also taking English classes three times a week at St. John De LaSalle in Niagara Falls. The main goal, the students say, is improving their English fluency — and being able to do it in a country like the U.S. is certainly a perk.
“I enjoy a lot of the wonderful views — it’s an amazing country,” said Lauri Requeno Garcia, a 16-year-old from Barcelona. “The people who live here are so nice.”
Lauri has been staying with her host parents Susan and Michael Becker of Grand Island. She’s had a blast checking out the rapids of Niagara Falls, going to the Fashion Outlets Mall and hiking with the Beckers, she said. But there is one area of Spain where the U.S. can’t compete: the food.
“The food in Spain,” she said. “I love it. I think, in America, they don’t eat very well.”
Christina Terradellas, a 17-year-old from Vic, a city 40 miles north of Barcelona, agrees with Lauri — the highlight of the trip is experiencing American culture. But for Christina, who is been staying with Brad and Susan DeWispelaere in Lockport, her reason for visiting is simple: “It’s for my future,” she said. “I want to know English so I can talk to other people and understand other languages.”
This is her fourth trip to the U.S. In Spain, she said, English is a popular language to study and it is typical for people to know languages other than Spanish.
Susan Becker said she has hosted foreign exchange students before because she enjoys the cultural exchange that takes place.
With Lauri, who returned to Spain with the group Thursday, a big part of the exchange was helping her grow into a more fluent English speaker.
“We work with her on her English,” Becker said. “But before you can do that, you have to have an understanding with them as to whether or not they want to be corrected. Lauri said, ‘Absolutely.’ She is participating in this program to perfect her English.”
Not all the host families are experienced with foreign exchanges though. Doug and Kathy Goodnick of Niagara Falls are hosting a 15-year-old, Oriol Salo — their first time serving as a host family.
Kathy said she and her husband had thought about getting involved, but weren’t sure what to expect.
“I’ve been a little surprised — it’s been wonderful,” she said. “My kids have been having a riot.”
The Goodnicks have three sons, ages 22, 12 and 8, so Oriol fits right in — they play video games, shop and hang out, she said.
As much as they’ve made Oriol feel at home, there were still some areas where that just wasn’t going to happen.
“He said, ‘Calamari?’ And I said, ‘Restaurante,” Goodnick said with a laugh.
Taking in the students is not as scary as it may seem, said Karen Buffone, a local coordinator with Global Friendships, the program hosting the Spanish students.
The students are well-behaved, bright and bring their own spending money. All host families need to do is open their home, from beds and meals, to positive relationships.
“The most important part is relationships developed,” Buffone said. “It’s a cultural exchange and a friendship.”
In the bigger picture, exchanges like this are not only about the individual relationships, but the global relationships from country to country.
“I think it certainly enriches their view of the United States and that people are people wherever you go,” she said.
Contact reporter Caitlin Murrayat 282-2311, ext. 2251.

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