12/23/2008 - Experiences for a lifetime
It was 1979 and Patricia Pagani was in the 10th grade when her Bolivian family first hosted an exchange student from Saint Paul, Minnesota. The next year she made the decision to travel to the United States with AFS. Patricia describes her initial inspiration to travel as wanting to improve her language skills, and to have “an adventure in a foreign country”. Though her culture shock was significantly lessened by her vicarious experiences with American culture through television and movies, nothing could prepare her for the joy of her first New York winter. “What I recall as a very special event is the first time I saw and walked over snow, we never have snow in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.”
Patricia developed a very close relationship with her host family, the Watkins. After her initial stay with the Watkins family, she kept in touch and the families continued to visit one another. As Patricia describes it, “My AFS experience was so good for me, that when my host family came out with the idea that my daughter could spend some time with them, I didn’t have to think twice.” Patricia’s daughter spent time abroad with the Watkins in 2001, and later the Watkins traveled to Bolivia to watch their host daughter graduate high school. Patricia’s 16 year old son is currently living with the Watkins for three months. Having her children experience the same exchange that she did in the early 1980’s felt serendipitous for Patricia. “The family was perfect; the town was perfect, even the time of the year – our three month’s summer vacation in the southern hemisphere is during winter in the US, so they could experience snow and winter sports.” The Pagani’s have even become something of a local legend, according to Patricia, “Some people in the school remembered me, so they were pleased to meet my daughter, even the local TV station made a report about us.”
While her children have traveled to the same town as their mother, Patricia is quick to point out that each family member’s experience is unique. “Every experience is particular, and every person has a different personality. They have both enjoyed it, learned a lot, made their own little ‘conquers’. My son, who is living this experience right now, tells me he is sorry he can’t stay there longer, he is really enjoying it.”
Patricia believes that her children’s experiences living abroad have been tremendously educational. “Being a tourist, you taste a new world. But if you are more than a tourist, if you can really be a part of that world, as the member of a family, a school, a community, you can really say you know that place, you live it. And if you have enough time, if you get to feel there are people that get to love you, than you feel you conquered that world in a way. And over the years that can be key for your life, to work for a relationship, and to conquer a space full of people that probably come from different backgrounds.”
The Watkins and the Pagani family have certainly creating a long-lasting relationship. Patricia explains that, “They are just like family. I know they care about me and my family; I do care about them as I do about my own family. I trust them with my children, trust the decisions they can make about them, and trust their advice about them. As they have both been educators, I really appreciate their advice about education.” The Watkins and Pagani families remain in regular contact and look forward to more visits in the coming years, and Patricia remains convinced that her exchange with AFS remains an experience of a lifetime.
 |
Printer Friendly |
