MONROE - Monroe international exchange students, María "Fer" Muñoz from Mexico, Hannele Heikinnen and Lauri Juonela from Finland, and Mathilde Grannes from Norway, talked to Monroe Middle School World Language students about their experiences on Thursday, March 12.
The seventh- and eighth-graders learned about the teenagers' lifestyle in their home countries and their experiences in Monroe. In Monroe, Lauri is looking forward to playing tennis on the boys' tennis team this spring. Hannele enjoys her host family with their many cats and dogs and she will miss the variety of ice cream flavors in the United States. Fer hopes to play on the girls' soccer team and Mathilde tried tennis this fall. The students will miss their host families and friends when they return. They enjoy the fact that school is not too difficult for them in the United States.
The exchange students have gained confidence and independence while learning about other cultures during their year in abroad.
Fer is hosted by the Anthony and Angela Rogerson family, Hannele lives with the Mark and Susan Purcell family, Lauri's host family is Mark and Denise Hanson, and Mathilde is hosted by the Steve and Karen Swenson family.
The exchange students arrived in August of 2008 and will return to their home countries in July having spent almost a full year in the United States.
Fer is sponsored by the I.C.E.S. (International Cultural Exchange Services, www.icesusa.org) program and Hannele, Lauri and Mathilde are with the A.F.S. (American Field Service, afsusa.org ) program. Families interested in hosting a student next year can begin the application process online. Area volunteers will contact them.
The seventh- and eighth-graders learned about the teenagers' lifestyle in their home countries and their experiences in Monroe. In Monroe, Lauri is looking forward to playing tennis on the boys' tennis team this spring. Hannele enjoys her host family with their many cats and dogs and she will miss the variety of ice cream flavors in the United States. Fer hopes to play on the girls' soccer team and Mathilde tried tennis this fall. The students will miss their host families and friends when they return. They enjoy the fact that school is not too difficult for them in the United States.
The exchange students have gained confidence and independence while learning about other cultures during their year in abroad.
Fer is hosted by the Anthony and Angela Rogerson family, Hannele lives with the Mark and Susan Purcell family, Lauri's host family is Mark and Denise Hanson, and Mathilde is hosted by the Steve and Karen Swenson family.
The exchange students arrived in August of 2008 and will return to their home countries in July having spent almost a full year in the United States.
Fer is sponsored by the I.C.E.S. (International Cultural Exchange Services, www.icesusa.org) program and Hannele, Lauri and Mathilde are with the A.F.S. (American Field Service, afsusa.org ) program. Families interested in hosting a student next year can begin the application process online. Area volunteers will contact them.
