Two high school exchange students remind us once again how
beautiful the first snow is in Bradford and how great it is to see
that we have trees that change colors – even in spring.

They are Lin Wan-Jou (Julia) from Taiwan and Aida Garcia from
Coahuila, Mexico, and they are currently attending Bradford Area
High School and will graduate with the senior class.

Garcia already graduated high school in Mexico last June and
then started college in July. She said she has held a desire to
become more multicultural and learn another language since middle
school. She also said being able to speak another language more
fluently will help in future employment opportunities.

“I really like it (here). I have a lot of friends and know new
people. It helps me to grow up (without my family) and it teaches
me how to understand other people,” said Garcia of her experience
in the United States. “And learn patience.”

Her plans are to return to Mexico and complete her college
degree. She hopes to become a forensic scientist some day.

While in Bradford, Garcia joined the swim team. She said she was
a swimmer when she was younger and wanted to experience it
again.

“I really enjoyed it,” she said of the team experience.

“It was frustrating my first week here. If I want something I
have to figure it out – how to say it,” added Garcia. “I was afraid
to make a mistake but it was good, they did help me and I did learn
more.”

Garcia said she took English (which is mandatory in her Mexican
schools) for nine years, but adds that without using it daily, it
is hard to remember, particularly in conversation.

Lin (Julia) agrees, saying she took two different kinds of
English classes, one where she was taught grammar and another where
she was taught conversation. She added that when she came here it
was hard.

“The first class, you can’t understand anything,” she said with
a laugh.

The difference in culture and learning for Lin is the fact that
she feels like she has a lot more (free) time here.

“Time to do what I want, to think about the future, college,”
she said adding that she isn’t sure what she wants to do, either
something with music or to be a veterinarian.

Lin plays a variety of instruments including the xylophone,
flute and many Chinese instruments.

Garcia speaks up laughing. “She’s the smart exchange student and
I am the sports exchange student.”

Lin said, “I am in marching band I didn’t have much time to join
sports.”

Lin also said that her school in Taiwan was very difficult and
they would attend classes from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. She said
there are schools with different levels, and they must test to
decide which they will attend.

“All we do is study and test, study and test,” she said adding
that she noticed that a lot of American students don’t seem to hold
as much respect for their teachers as they should.

Garcia agreed.

As for American food, the two each had some complaints, but the
biggest being that they had gained weight. Each had gained at least
10 pounds (or more) since they have been in Bradford.

Lin said she wasn’t fond of cheese and there weren’t enough
vegetables in most meals; Garcia said she would ask for more spice
in her meals, adding that lunch in Mexico is the larger meal while
dinners are smaller portioned.

The two are exchange students from different programs. Lin is
here through Rotary Club International, and has had two host
families, Tim and Kelly Roff and John and Nancy Goble. Garcia is
here through the ProAmerican Educational and Cultural Exchange
(PEACE) program, staying with Dan and Ruth Whitman.

Dan Whitman said it has been quite pleasant having Garcia in
their home.

“She has been real good and just a joy to be around. She is full
of life and excitement,” he said Wednesday evening. “It’s worked
out and it’s a great experience for all of us.”

Whitman added that both their daughter, Santana Romero, and
Garcia will graduate together on June 1.

The first family Lin stayed with had a daughter named Jamey
Roff. Her parents are Tim and Kelley Roff and they said having Lin
in their home was a pleasure.

“We truly enjoyed her,” said Kelley Roff. “It was a very
different experience for our family and it was very positive. The
Rotary is a very good program to be involved with. We weren’t sure
what to expect and it was very positive.”

The second family Lin has lived with is John and Nancy Goble.
John Goble said their children are grown and gone and its been
something of a reminder to have her in their home, particularly
since she is going to the prom.

“It’s interesting, and a fun experience to have sort of a
daughter to go through that with,” he said. “It’s certainly an
education learning another culture and another way of life. It’s
informative and helps us to realize what kind of a world we live
in.”

On the subject of weather, both students said they thought snow
was really pretty, but Aida said the amount she saw may last
forever in her mind.

“Everyday was white even when the snow was gone – I think I will
always have it,” she said laughing. She also said she enjoyed
playing in the snow and having snow fights.

Lin said she tried her hand at skiing and almost “smashed into
someone” while she was skiing at Holiday Valley, in New York
state.

In Taiwan, explained Lin, it is usually about 90 degrees average
temperature. Garcia explained it can get up to about 117 or 120
degrees at her home.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do when I get back – I’m going
to melt,” she said laughing.

But both girls said they loved the way the trees change colors,
even in the spring.

“I thought wow! That tree is pink!” said Aida of the spring
blooms. She said she comes from a desert area.