This is Hamilton Heights Spanish teacher Jane Shields’s third time coordinating an exchange experience for Costa Rican students and their local host families at Hamilton Heights. This year, 17 high school students aged 15 to 17 and three teacher chaperones from three different schools of the Limon Province of Costa Rica got to call northern Hamilton County home. After an amazing two weeks of non-stop fun and education, the Costa Rican students and their host families said their goodbyes, but the time together and shared experiences of this cultural exchange will last a lifetime.
The exchange students divided their time between attending classes with their Heights’ partners and taking excursions to other schools and Indiana attractions. After school and on the weekends, the group kept a full schedule engaging in a wide variety of local and regional amenities.
(From left) Maynor Campos Castillo, Peyton Dimmock and Kinsey Dimmock with Boomer at a Pacers game. (Photo provided)
“The students had a full two weeks during their visit here,” explained Shields, who said she was touched by the rousing farewell the students received at the Heights Boys basketball game the last Friday the students were in town. “It was a testament to how much the whole community appreciated having them here. It definitely takes a coordinated effort involving many students, faculty, staff and community members to host students from another country.”
“It is really an incredible opportunity for everyone involved,” continued Shields. “This type of immersion experience gives students from both cultures a chance to learn a little more about each other. Together they attended Heights’ basketball games, the winter homecoming dance, visited Westfield High School and had a day of introducing Heights third and fourth graders to the Costa Rican culture.”
The group also attended a Pacer’s game, enjoyed a day at Fair Oaks Farm in Rensselaer, visited the Children’s Museum and went tubing at Koteewi Run Snow Slope in Strawtown. Host parents introduced their students to variety of American-style cuisine, bowling, ice skating and attended several group gatherings in the homes of some of the host families. Shopping is always a popular activity for the “Ticos” as name brand clothes and electronics are much cheaper in the United States.
Students bonding with their host families and new American friends is an important part of the experience. The Costa Rican students had a chance to work on their English language skills and experience first-hand life in the American Midwest. Heights students also learned a lot more about Costa Rican culture and what it takes to learn another language. Many Heights students got a chance to learn typical Costa Rican dances during class.
It’s been a great cultural experience for Kerri Young and her two high-school-aged children, Aubree, 14, and Gabriel, 16. This is the Youngs’ first time to serve as a host family taking in two Costa Rican students, Oscar Briceño Quirós, 16, and Monserrat Pamela Vallejos, 15. “It was a two-week whirlwind where we all enjoyed sharing a variety of experiences and made some really great memories,” said Young, who is the Flags Auxiliary Instructor at Hamilton Heights High School.
“I liked sharing in the activities with my friends, meeting many beautiful people and have a great family in Indiana,” said Monserrat Pamela Vallejos of her experience.
Oscar Briceño Quirós agreed, adding that all the different and fun activities will be remembered, especially his favorite, sledding. “Even if I do not know most people they treat you well and make you feel at home,” he said. “That’s nice and the best part of the experience.”
Kerri and Nick Bontreger have served as a host family for this program three times. (From left) Guiliana Hernandez, Kerri Bontreger, Chloe Bontreger and Nancy Ramirez, teacher. (Photo provided)
Aubree Young said her favorite part was going to Zoo’Opolis with Monserrat and Oscar. “I also really liked sitting at the dinner table every night to share a meal and talk about our day.” Young’s brother, Gabriel, added it was great having Oscar and Monserrat stay with them. “Every evening offered up something new and exciting.”
Chris and Mary Ringer, with three children at Heights – Amelia, 17, Joe, 15, and Haley, 12 – also opened their home to one of the students. “We enjoyed sharing our lives and our home with Jose Andres Obando Guzman, 16. “Jose was willing to participate in every activity scheduled and every food presented,” said Mary Ringer of her first host home experience. “He’s a part of our family now and I am sure we’ll keep in touch.”
Daughter Amelia Ringer added that she enjoyed meeting people from a different culture and doing fun activities with the exchange students from going to Fair Oaks Farm to just hanging out.”
Like the other exchange students, Guzman said he enjoyed visiting a new country which he described as “different and beautiful.” “I enjoyed the experience, meeting wonderful people, and was welcomed as a member of the Ringer family,” he added, along with hopes of a return visit.
“Many of our students may not have an opportunity to travel outside of the country but through this enriching exchange experience were able to bring a little bit of the Costa Rican culture and lifestyle to Heights,” noted Shields.