MONROE - Dale and Doris Schliem, South Wayne, were happy when they learned Garardo Garcia Jr., would spend five weeks with them this summer.
Garcia lives in Querataro, Mexico, where his dad owns a construction business.
The Schliems hosted Garcia's father as a foreign exchange student almost 30 years ago.
"He lived with us for a year, and we really enjoyed having him," Dale said of Garcia's father. "We treated him like he was one of our own."
Ten years ago, as a 7-year-old, Garcia came with his family to meet the Schliems. He said his dad often talked about how much fun he had as a foreign exchange student. As he got older, he decided he wanted to visit the family that had become a second family to his dad.
"He said everyone was really nice to him, and that he met a lot of good people," Garcia said.
Then, he looked at Dale and smiled.
"Everybody was nice except for Dale," Garcia said, as he smiled and Dale laughed.
Garcia's enjoyed his visit to Wisconsin. He and Dale joke about how much work they have to get done before he goes back to Mexico.
Dale, who farmed for several years and also worked as an auto mechanic, has been teaching Garcia about fixing engines. They plan to work on a couple of tractors and trucks while he's in Wisconsin.
But they don't plan to work the entire time. They spent some time on Monroe's Square Thursday, looking at the downtown improvements and taking in the sights.
Garcia is in high school and has two years of school before he graduates. He wants to go to college to be a civil engineer.
Wherever Garcia's future takes him he will always have friends in Wisconsin, Dale said.
Garcia lives in Querataro, Mexico, where his dad owns a construction business.
The Schliems hosted Garcia's father as a foreign exchange student almost 30 years ago.
"He lived with us for a year, and we really enjoyed having him," Dale said of Garcia's father. "We treated him like he was one of our own."
Ten years ago, as a 7-year-old, Garcia came with his family to meet the Schliems. He said his dad often talked about how much fun he had as a foreign exchange student. As he got older, he decided he wanted to visit the family that had become a second family to his dad.
"He said everyone was really nice to him, and that he met a lot of good people," Garcia said.
Then, he looked at Dale and smiled.
"Everybody was nice except for Dale," Garcia said, as he smiled and Dale laughed.
Garcia's enjoyed his visit to Wisconsin. He and Dale joke about how much work they have to get done before he goes back to Mexico.
Dale, who farmed for several years and also worked as an auto mechanic, has been teaching Garcia about fixing engines. They plan to work on a couple of tractors and trucks while he's in Wisconsin.
But they don't plan to work the entire time. They spent some time on Monroe's Square Thursday, looking at the downtown improvements and taking in the sights.
Garcia is in high school and has two years of school before he graduates. He wants to go to college to be a civil engineer.
Wherever Garcia's future takes him he will always have friends in Wisconsin, Dale said.