The Academy has a long history of welcoming students from Mexico for a year of study and our school families generously offer to host them. This year, we’ve welcomed three students from Mexico who’ve joined our Seventh Class: Maria, Lorea, and Joaquin. The presence of these students in our school community is a gift to all of us! We are delighted to have them with us and grateful to the Academy families who are graciously hosting them. In this and future issues, we’ll introduce you to these students.
Lorea is from San Luis Potosi, Mexico and is staying with Ron and Carrie Fredrickson and their daughters Sydney and Brooke. Lorea enjoys science and math, plays volleyball and soccer and loves “Cupcake Wars.” She says that the first month was challenging because she missed her family. But, “Now I have friends and understand English more, so I am not homesick.”
With the help of her classmates, Lorea was able to learn her way around the school. “The first month was a little difficult, but then it’s a lot of fun. The teachers help you a lot.” She is able to manage the homework, and initially needed assistance from Sydney, but says, “now I can do it on my own.”
The decision to host a family is a significant one, but some of our students look forward to it for years. “We talked about hosting a student after Brooke had such a good experience with Caya (one of the Mexican students who spent the 2012-13 year at ASH) who she became good friends with and still is,” explains Carrie. “We thought it would be great to share our American traditions with Lorea while learning some of her Mexican traditions and culture also. We also thought it would be a great thing for Sydney to experience.”
Lorea and her host family have had a busy few months. Lorea has especially enjoyed visiting the St. Louis Zoo and going to Jilly’s Cupcakes. Taking Lorea to Jilly’s was one of Carrie’s highlights so far. “She loved it and watched the show “Cupcake Wars” back at home in Mexico. We can’t wait to do more with her because it truly is really fun to watch,” she says. “I would say my favorite experience so far is probably when she gives the girls Mexican candy to try and she videos them to see what their reactions are. Mexican candy is very different than ours.”
Overall, Lorea has transitioned well to life in St. Charles. “She is happy and seems to be adjusting well, which is a lot for a 12-year-old to do in another country,” affirms Carrie.
