MONROE - Doesn't Costa Rica sound nice right about now?
Monroe High School Spanish students got the chance to at least go there in spirit Wednesday, courtesy of an elaborate native dance production performed by their 20 visiting exchange students.
And as a surprise encore, several of the hometown students were pulled onto the Performing Arts Center stage for a twirl or two.
"That was a lot of fun," said MHS sophomore Katie Miller. "Needless to say I wasn't expecting it."
But she has felt at ease with the group of 20 Costa Rican students who have, in return, made themselves at home.
"It's been so interesting to see the difference in cultures," Miller said. "But in just a few weeks it has felt as though they've been here much longer. They really fit in. They're even starting to use our slang - words like "swag.' And even I'm not sure what that means. I think it might mean something's cool. They seem so confident and relaxed."
Part of that familiarity probably stems from the fact the two communities trade visits every other year - this year marking the seventh time.
In July, 13 Monroe High School students will hop on a plane and return the favor, including performing a show of their own.
"We haven't started to worry about that just yet," said Michelle Kister, a Spanish teacher who serves as Monroe's exchange coordinator. "This will be a hard act to follow, but it's great that we can share cultures."
The show started with traditional Latin folk dancing, went to a sizzling tango number, took a left turn to robotic hip-hop, and ended with some salsa dancing for dessert.
Hosts parents were also in attendance, including John and Christine Tabaka of Monroe.
Sixteen-year-old Isaac Gomez is their guest, and the Tabakas were happy to see that Gomez could offset all the Americanizing he's had to do with a something from his homeland.
"He's been working on this every day since he got here, but not at home - so this was a surprise for us," said John Tabaka. "It's great to be exposed to his culture."
For Gomez, who arrived just after Christmas, his trip marks the first time he's left Costa Rica, the first time he's flown, and the first time he's seen snow.
"He keeps saying, "Mucho frio,'" Christine Tabaka said. "That much we understand."
Monroe High School Spanish students got the chance to at least go there in spirit Wednesday, courtesy of an elaborate native dance production performed by their 20 visiting exchange students.
And as a surprise encore, several of the hometown students were pulled onto the Performing Arts Center stage for a twirl or two.
"That was a lot of fun," said MHS sophomore Katie Miller. "Needless to say I wasn't expecting it."
But she has felt at ease with the group of 20 Costa Rican students who have, in return, made themselves at home.
"It's been so interesting to see the difference in cultures," Miller said. "But in just a few weeks it has felt as though they've been here much longer. They really fit in. They're even starting to use our slang - words like "swag.' And even I'm not sure what that means. I think it might mean something's cool. They seem so confident and relaxed."
Part of that familiarity probably stems from the fact the two communities trade visits every other year - this year marking the seventh time.
In July, 13 Monroe High School students will hop on a plane and return the favor, including performing a show of their own.
"We haven't started to worry about that just yet," said Michelle Kister, a Spanish teacher who serves as Monroe's exchange coordinator. "This will be a hard act to follow, but it's great that we can share cultures."
The show started with traditional Latin folk dancing, went to a sizzling tango number, took a left turn to robotic hip-hop, and ended with some salsa dancing for dessert.
Hosts parents were also in attendance, including John and Christine Tabaka of Monroe.
Sixteen-year-old Isaac Gomez is their guest, and the Tabakas were happy to see that Gomez could offset all the Americanizing he's had to do with a something from his homeland.
"He's been working on this every day since he got here, but not at home - so this was a surprise for us," said John Tabaka. "It's great to be exposed to his culture."
For Gomez, who arrived just after Christmas, his trip marks the first time he's left Costa Rica, the first time he's flown, and the first time he's seen snow.
"He keeps saying, "Mucho frio,'" Christine Tabaka said. "That much we understand."