The world is one family

Maria Jose Alonso Pedrosa - Arkport 4/3/07

Almost leaving... our last school day here at Arkport Central School. It is going to be hard tomorrow. So many exchanges experienced before this one, Mr. Jassak and I knew this would eventually happen.
Yesterday, when I advised my Spanish students to start packing, some of them told me they wished they had spent more days here (instead of going to N.Y. City!!!)
In planning our trip to USA, visiting N.Y. city was their main interest, now they all would prefer to stay with you longer... therefore we can conclude that this exchange has been a success.
If the Spanish students had guessed that, they would have not been so anxious and uneasy before arriving here. Now that you have gotten to know each other so well, you won't be so concerned next year when you come to Spain.
We all wish you could visit us before, it is going to be an eternity waiting for you to come!!!
Attending Arkport Central School has been a pleasure for all of us. We thank Mr. Locke and Mr. Hoose for allowing us to go to classes and for meeting other American students and teachers.
Teaching the 5 and 6 years old some Spanish words and songs has been for me one of the greatest moments in the trip.

We have had a welcoming party, Easter celebration (Egg Hunting included) Halloween, Thanksgiving and a birthday/farewell party this evening.
We visited Niagara Falls and had a nice meal at The Hard Rock Cafe. Also, Corning Glass Museum, where we created our own flowers, courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Simpson. Mr. Simpson also showed us the Architecture College at Alfred State University. Special thanks to Mrs. Alice Wheaton, so enthusiastically teaching Spanish there, and to Mrs. Wellington who took us there.
Our appreciation to the thirteen families who have hosted us these weeks and have made us feel at home since the first moment. You have become our true dearest American families.
As for all of the students, just to tell you how brave, caring and kind you have been to take this risk. I wish you could say now that it has been worth doing it.
It will take us time to digest this experience. So much we have enjoyed, so much we have learned.
We have tried to understand each other. We have shared our ideas and opinions...

We are creating a better world