The Nexus

Linnea Whitney
Alicia Hernandez (11) helps Claudia Genoves (11) with her U.S. History homework, writing a current event. Since Genoves struggles with the English language, this task allowed Hernandez to practice her Spanish, which gives both girls a chance to learn off of each other.

In the August heat, Claudia Genoves (11) got off the plane, looking at the United States for the first time. She meandered through the airport, trying to find her new family amongst the English speakers. As she stepped off of the elevator, she spotted a family of three, awaiting her arrival.

Genoves had signed up to come to America for the first time, leaving behind her home to adapt to a completely different culture. She would learn a new language and live with a new family through a program called ETC: Education, Travel and Culture. Genoves would stay with an American family of three, William, Patricia and their teenage daughter, Alicia Hernandez (11). For the next year, Hernandez will be Genoves’ lifeline, teaching her to live in the states.

“I was excited, anxious and curious [when Genoves was coming] because I didn’t know how much English she spoke,” Hernandez said.

In June, Hernandez discovered the ETC and thought that it would be a good change and would be interesting to learn about the Spanish culture.

Genoves heard about the program from a friend and leaped at the opportunity to meet new people and improve her English.

“Here, I’m learning so I’ll have good English,” Genoves said. “It will be easier to find a job [in Spain because] they ask for your English level.”

Already, the girls have learned a lot about each other and the different cultures they’ve lived in.

“It’s fun to learn about different countries,” Hernandez said. “There are so many foods. With Claudia I learn [lots of] ways to eat things.”

While Hernandez only knows what she is told of Spain, Genoves has seen both countries and sees no resemblance between Spain and the U.S.

“Nothing is the same, just some foods, but it’s [still] very different,” Genoves said. “At home we eat dinner at ten o’clock, but here, no.”

Genoves said that the school systems are also much different, as courses differ significantly. The standards are also different to what Genoves is used to.

“My favorite part is the school,” she said. “It’s so easy; at home I have 11 classes.”

So far, the girls have already connected by spending time together and sharing interests.

“I like having Claudia here because I always have a friend, someone there for me,” Hernandez said. “It’s like having a sister.”

Learning an entirely different language, especially one as difficult as English, has forced Claudia to overcome obstacles in communication.

“The language has been the most difficult part,” Genoves said. “[If I don’t understand], I ask them again and they say it in different words.”

Although Hernandez knows a little Spanish through taking Spanish up to 5-6, she still has difficulty communicating with Genoves.

“It’s difficult to translate,” Hernandez said. “If she’s learning something I’ll help her because there a lot of words she doesn’t know.”

And while Genoves learns about American culture, Hernandez said she is also learning with the help of Genoves. Through ETC, both girls said they have already experienced life-changing experiences.

“It is really different [having a foreign exchange student], but it’s really interesting learning all the different words, foods and styles,” Hernandez said. “It’s like having the sister I never had and I get to learn so much about another culture.”