Exchange students see American culture, Montana style

Lincoln County is playing host to students from around the world. Three students, from Ecuador, Germany and Spain, are attending Libby High School as part of two different international student exchange programs. Despite their different backgrounds and paths to get to northwest Montana, they arrived with a similar goal: to experience American culture and learn about American life.

Paula Fernandez, who hails from northern Spain, said she has wanted to visit America since her early childhood. Paula plans to return to Spain to study psychology in college, but dreams of eventually relocating to the United States. Her love of deep-dish pizza helped set her heart on living in Chicago.

Walter Briones, from Ecuador, joined the exchange program not only to get a feel for a new culture, but also with an eye toward the future. He hopes to win a tennis scholarship that will enable him to attend college in America, and is looking forward to the spring season with that goal in mind.

Anna Oliveira has a different perspective. She comes from a German village smaller than Libby. The neighboring villages, however, are larger and closer than the cities that are nearest to Libby.

All three students expressed how much they’ve come to enjoy life in Lincoln County and wanted to thank their host families for their hospitality and friendship. Thinking of their favorite experiences so far, both Paula and Anna spoke about the community. The community spirit and attendance at school events, particularly sports, impressed them. Briones, who plays soccer in addition to tennis, echoed that sentiment and added that meeting new girls has been a highlight for him. Apparently, teenage boys are the same all the world over.

Anna said studying abroad is helping her grow as a person, to become less shy and more self-confident. She is making new friends and meeting new people. All three students demonstrate an impressive maturity and poise for people of their age.

The students said they are looking forward to the holidays, especially wanting to experience Thanksgiving, which is not celebrated in their home countries. Christmas, which is celebrated in a much different fashion in Europe and South America, will be exciting too, they said.

Libby Middle-High School Principal Ruth VanWorth-Rogers coordinates with two agencies to place students in the exchange program: Program of Academic Exchange and Rotary Exchange Program. Students apply with the agencies and are matched to potential host families. Once that preliminary match is made, an application packet is sent to the school for final approval. The school evaluates the students relative to a number of criteria and either approves or rejects the placement.

The school board has a policy that limits exchange students to a certain percentage of the student population. The board tries to limit the program to students who are juniors or seniors and are 16 or older, and who can complete the entire academic year, although some programs offer half-year options.

Libby resident Amy Thomson, who hosts Oliveira, said most of what the world sees about Americans comes from the news media or Hollywood.

“This is a great way for us to show what America is all about,” Thomson said.

Thomson praised the people of Libby for embracing the students. Oliveira was given a first-hand course in American elections by getting a tour of the county clerk’s operation as well as spending time with election judges and volunteers at the VFW building on Election Day.

“She’s such a wonderful girl,” Thomson said of Oliveira. “She’s polite, respectful and thankful, and we are so happy to have her as a part of our family.” 

The experience, added Thomson, is just as wonderful for the host families as it is for the students and is not limited to the school year. She looks forward to Oliveira being a part of her family for the rest of her life. 

Tracy McNew, whose family hosts Walter Briones, expressed similar sentiments about her exchange student. 

“We’ve had a great experience with Walter so far,” McNew said. “He’s embraced our culture and customs, as well as our family. He is a respectful, responsible and caring young man who has really become a part of the family.”

McNew and her husband, Zach, are members of the Rotary Club and decided to host Walter in an effort to re-engage the community in the Rotary Exchange Program. 

“We believe that it is an important program that significantly impacts those who participate in many positive ways including improving cultural awareness and language skills, just to name a few,” Tracy McNew said. “It is also an opportunity for our daughter and others who interact with Walter to learn about his culture and language.”