For the next several weeks, 12 Colombian boys will be attending classes at Trenton Middle School.
The boys, who attend a private boys school in Bogota, Colombia, arrived in Pictou County Sunday, and will spend the next eight weeks on an exchange. Accompanying them is their teacher, Maria Helena Bustamante.
"It's an opportunity for them to learn about another culture and to improve their English," Bustamante says. "In our country, it's very important to have English as a second language."
It's the boys' first time in Canada and, for many of them, their first time seeing snow. On Tuesday, the boys built a snowman outside Trenton Middle School, something their teacher says they've dreamt of doing their entire lives.
"While in class, we would read about countries that have snow, and they would always fantasize about what it would be like to make a snowman," she says.
The exchange, which was made possible through the Chignecto-Central Regional School Board's International Student Program, is also a terrific opportunity for the students at Trenton Middle School, says Jill Fraser, a teacher at the school.
"It's just as valuable to us for them to be here as it is to them," Fraser says. "For many of our students, it's a chance to make new friends and to learn about another culture."
While they're here, the boys will stay with families from Trenton, most of whom have a son or daughter who attend Trenton Middle School.
Santiago Calderon says he's excited to be in Pictou County. "I feel very good," he said. "I'm very happy I'm going to be learning about other people, about another country."
On Wednesday, he will be 12 years old, marking the first time he has celebrated a birthday away from home. "It's going to be strange," he said. "It will be my first birthday without my mother."
But he adds he wouldn't miss a chance to visit Canada, which he says is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Easy to remember names
If you think you've heard of a lot of Jennifers or Kevins or Sarahs, the teacher for the Colombian students probably would be saying the same thing about Juans and Santiagos. One third of the 12 boys are name Santiago, while another third are Juans.
Colombian students sample Pictou Countys snowy spring
Colombian students sample Pictou Countys snowy spring
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- Published on April 2, 2008
- Published on December 30, 2009
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Cait MacIntyre
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Comments
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- DelRosa/Darlene
- - January 18, 2010 at 14:31:14
My son Bobby loves the exchange students,he is a student at Victoria Middle School.Such a pleasure to meet great children from other countries and a learning experience for all to learn about theirs.Great work Victoria Middle School!
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- Liliana
- - January 18, 2010 at 14:20:03
Santiago, this is a wonderful experience and we are very happy of you, today will be a great day. Happy birthday !!!
We love you.
Calderón family -
- FIORELLA
- - January 18, 2010 at 13:18:53
My son is Santaiago Calderón, I´m delighted that he has the privilege of celebrating his 12th birthday in such a beautiful providence. I hope he brings back wonderful memories and will be able to transmit what Colombia is, and what a wonderful family he has.
Santiago FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS!!! TE AMO CON TODO MI CORAZÓN, enjoy, enjoy and enjoy!!! Send kisses to you, to you, to your Colombian friends, to your new Canadian friends and families and to Mary!!! -
- Claudia
- - January 18, 2010 at 12:55:36
Santiago, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! You are going to love the experience of living in this amazing country!! Love the picture in the snow!! Muchos besos de tu tia favorita!!
