1999 Impressions--Week 2

Images from the rest of the 1999 trip
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4

We hope you enjoy the comments below from our students, Los Escaladores from West Virginia. Many, many thanks to Mike Lustig, our student editor, for taking and downloading the photos of the group, and for his technical assistance.

Next week we will share with you some of our experiences and impressions at the University of Guanajuato where our students take Spanish classes and work at the language laboratory (auto acceso). The university is providing classes specifically for our students. We have divided our kids into two groups--beginning and intermediate Spanish. Each group takes consecutive classes in conversation and grammar. We have four excellent professors.

A couple of side notes...

Texas Christian University School of Social Work is here with a group of undergraduate students who are studying Spanish and completing placements at social agencies in the city.
WVU's Department of Foreign Languages and Extended Learning Program are conducting an English as a Foreign Language course for University of Guanajuato faculty who are planning to pursue graduate degrees in English speaking countries. Martha Lengeling, director of the University of Guanajuato's Language Center, is teaching the course. She has a master's degree from the WVU Department of Foreign Languages. Classes meet Wednesday nights from June 30 - November 15.

We appreciate your interest in our program. Muchas gracias.

Comments from 1999 Los Escaladores!

Hi, my name is Patricia Shank. I am 18 years old and am getting ready to attend college in the fall. As a young girl I lived in Mexico City until the age of 9, then my family and I moved to the United States. I decided to participate in "Los Escaladores" to regain the fluency and comprehension of the Spanish language that I have lost over the years and to become reacquainted with the Mexican customs and ways of life that I was used to. So far, this trip has really helped. My Spanish is coming back and I find myself adapting to the culture really well. I have concluded that the fastest and most fun way to learn is to be totally surrounded by the people, their culture, and language.

My name is Maui Kuwabara. I am a senior at University High School in Morgantown, WV. I have studied Spanish for 3 years now but nothing compares to everything I have learned in the past 10 days. I had hoped to learn more of the language, customs, and culture and so far all of my expectations have been met. At times I thought I would never last one more day but as each day goes by I start to wonder how I'll ever be able to leave Guanajuato.

Hi. I am Lauren Boyle. I will be a senior at Morgantown High School in the fall. Mexico is very different from West Virginia. At first I wasn't having a good time, but after the culture shock left, I started enjoying myself. I was staying with another student, but she went home for many different reasons. I thought the opportunity of living with a host family in a different country and culture was a fabulous learning experience. It is and I encourage everyone to experience something like this. I am looking forward to the rest of the trip and the separate weekend trips to other parts of Mexico, but at the same time being able to speak English with people being able to understand me.

My name is Anne Byrne. I am a junior at Morgantown High School. My experience in Mexico has been a very difficult one for the first week of the trip. I was very homesick. Now I feel very excited to be here. I find this to be an adventure, a challenge, and a road towards my own self-growth. I know I will become more independent as the trip proceeds. Overall, I believe I will be a better person at the end of the month.

Hello, I am Chris Williams from Spencer, WV. I am 17 years old and will be a senior at Roane County High School. This experience is helping me understand more Spanish and the Mexican culture. I am having a great time. Thanks to everyone who made it possible, especially my parents.

Hola! I am Meagan A. Carpenter and I will be a senior at Wheeling Central Catholic High School. I am having the best time of my life here in Guanajuato, Mexico. The land is beautiful and the people are awesome--so warm, generous, and amiable. I have studied Spanish for three years and it is an adventure of a lifetime to actually be using this language and to have to rely and try to actually be using this language and to try to recall every piece of information that you've learned. It's extremely challenging yet very fun.

Hola! I'm Savannah Pixote McLaughlin. I'll be a rising senior at James Monroe High School in Monroe Country. I really love it here. The people are very friendly and Guanajuato is a very nice city. This experience will allow me to be a more independent and flexible person. I think that this experience will have a big effect on how I look at things for the rest of my life.

Hi! My name is Travis Claus. I have studied Spanish for 5 years in school and have a great love of the language and the Hispanic culture. So far, this has been an incredible learning experience. As this is my first time visiting another country, I not only have a chance to learn another language, but I have also learned that there is life outside everything that I have ever known in the States. It has been a very eye-opening experience that I believe will affect a positive change on my attitude and my entire outlook on life. One last thing, to Bryanna: keep it straight for four more weeks little sis (the pictures were great); to my Mom and Dad: thank you for giving me this opportunity and everything you did to prepare me for it. Part of my heart remains in Buckhannon with you. Oh yeah! Jeff Carson--You had better be partying enough for the both of us, Big Red. I love you guys and will see you soon.

My name is Ashley White from Huntington, WV. I'll be a junior at Huntington High School in the fall. I was interested in this program because I thought the opportunity to live with people, learn a language, and experience a culture outside one's own truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity. This last ten days have shown me the truth in that. I think this trip so far has broadened my horizons and made me more open to new experiences. With each new day I feel myself becoming more independent and mature. I want to say hello to all my friends and family in West Virginia. I miss you all terribly! Much love, Ashley

Regardless of what one may know, to experience another culture surpasses any knowledge that can come from a book. I, Allen Muzzle, cannot explain the ecstatic joy that I have felt since my feet have touched this near-sacred ground. In many instances, I have found myself to be giddy like a pre-pubescent child if not ebullient at heart. My mind has absorbed the ambience of the land like the desert absorbs the rainwater. Everything from the urination of children in the streets, to the awe-inspiring statues such as the Papila has etched a convolution in my brain.

Hola! My name is Mike Lustig. I'm 15 years old and a rising sophomore (the youngest kid in the group). I go to Charleston Catholic High School. I really love Guanajuato, there are no words that can explain the experience here, so I won't try. All I know is that this is a part of my life I'll never forget.

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Last modified April 7, 2000
Comments to:rfleishe@wvu.edu

Center for 4-H and Youth, Family and Adult Development

	Hi, my name is Patricia Shank. I am 18 years old and am getting ready to attend college in the fall. As a young girl I lived in Mexico City until the age of 9, then my family and I moved to the United States. I decided to participate in "Los Escaladores" to regain the fluency and comprehension of the Spanish language that I have lost over the years and to become reacquainted with the Mexican customs and ways of life that I was used to. So far, this trip has really helped. My Spanish is coming back and I find myself adapting to the culture really well. I have concluded that the fastest and most fun way to learn is to be totally surrounded by the people, their culture, and language.
My name is Maui Kuwabara. I am a senior at University High School in Morgantown, WV. I have studied Spanish for 3 years now but nothing compares to everything I have learned in the past 10 days. I had hoped to learn more of the language, customs, and culture and so far all of my expectations have been met. At times I thought I would never last one more day but as each day goes by I start to wonder how I'll ever be able to leave Guanajuato.
	Hi. I am Lauren Boyle. I will be a senior at Morgantown High School in the fall. Mexico is very different from West Virginia. At first I wasn't having a good time, but after the culture shock left, I started enjoying myself. I was staying with another student, but she went home for many different reasons. I thought the opportunity of living with a host family in a different country and culture was a fabulous learning experience. It is and I encourage everyone to experience something like this. I am looking forward to the rest of the trip and the separate weekend trips to other parts of Mexico, but at the same time being able to speak English with people being able to understand me.
My name is Anne Byrne. I am a junior at Morgantown High School. My experience in Mexico has been a very difficult one for the first week of the trip. I was very homesick. Now I feel very excited to be here. I find this to be an adventure, a challenge, and a road towards my own self-growth. I know I will become more independent as the trip proceeds. Overall, I believe I will be a better person at the end of the month.
	Hello, I am Chris Williams from Spencer, WV. I am 17 years old and will be a senior at Roane County High School. This experience is helping me understand more Spanish and the Mexican culture. I am having a great time. Thanks to everyone who made it possible, especially my parents.
Hola! I am Meagan A. Carpenter and I will be a senior at Wheeling Central Catholic High School. I am having the best time of my life here in Guanajuato, Mexico. The land is beautiful and the people are awesome--so warm, generous, and amiable. I have studied Spanish for three years and it is an adventure of a lifetime to actually be using this language and to have to rely and try to actually be using this language and to try to recall every piece of information that you've learned. It's extremely challenging yet very fun.
	Hola! I'm Savannah Pixote McLaughlin. I'll be a rising senior at James Monroe High School in Monroe Country. I really love it here. The people are very friendly and Guanajuato is a very nice city. This experience will allow me to be a more independent and flexible person. I think that this experience will have a big effect on how I look at things for the rest of my life.
Hi! My name is Travis Claus. I have studied Spanish for 5 years in school and have a great love of the language and the Hispanic culture. So far, this has been an incredible learning experience. As this is my first time visiting another country, I not only have a chance to learn another language, but I have also learned that there is life outside everything that I have ever known in the States. It has been a very eye-opening experience that I believe will affect a positive change on my attitude and my entire outlook on life. One last thing, to Bryanna: keep it straight for four more weeks little sis (the pictures were great); to my Mom and Dad: thank you for giving me this opportunity and everything you did to prepare me for it. Part of my heart remains in Buckhannon with you. Oh yeah! Jeff Carson--You had better be partying enough for the both of us, Big Red. I love you guys and will see you soon.
	My name is Ashley White from Huntington, WV. I'll be a junior at Huntington High School in the fall. I was interested in this program because I thought the opportunity to live with people, learn a language, and experience a culture outside one's own truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity. This last ten days have shown me the truth in that. I think this trip so far has broadened my horizons and made me more open to new experiences. With each new day I feel myself becoming more independent and mature. I want to say hello to all my friends and family in West Virginia. I miss you all terribly! Much love, Ashley
Regardless of what one may know, to experience another culture surpasses any knowledge that can come from a book. I, Allen Muzzle, cannot explain the ecstatic joy that I have felt since my feet have touched this near-sacred ground. In many instances, I have found myself to be giddy like a pre-pubescent child if not ebullient at heart. My mind has absorbed the ambience of the land like the desert absorbs the rainwater. Everything from the urination of children in the streets, to the awe-inspiring statues such as the Papila has etched a convolution in my brain.
	Hola! My name is Mike Lustig. I'm 15 years old and a rising sophomore (the youngest kid in the group). I go to Charleston Catholic High School. I really love Guanajuato, there are no words that can explain the experience here, so I won't try. All I know is that this is a part of my life I'll never forget.