Spanish Exchange Student Makes His Long-Awaited Trip To The US

By Tanjua Damon

The sophomore class at Newtown High School has an exchange student for the school year – Alberto Llana, who arrived from Madrid, Spain, in August under the American Field Service Exchange Student Program.

Alberto, 15, speaks English well. He learned it in Spain over the last six years. He has long known that his parents wanted to send him to the United States during his sophomore year to experience the country and learn more English.

“My parents sent me here to learn English,” Alberto said. “I knew since I was little that they wanted me to come to the United States.”

He is taking a full schedule at the high school as well as playing soccer. He takes English, United States History, Biology, Math, Physical Education, Spanish, and Orchestra, where he plays the violin.

Alberto explained that Spain is not that different from the United States. He said his school is much smaller in terms of building size.

“The people. It’s similar to Spain,” he said. “This school is so big. In Spain we have 20 classrooms with 36 to 40 kids in each class. High school is just like here.”

In the United States more funding is spent on education than in Spain, according to Alberto.

“They spend much more money on education and sports here than in Spain,” he said.

Alberto is more accustomed to city life than suburban life. He is not used to having to use the car to go just about everywhere. He said that was his biggest challenge in the United States so far, getting used to the suburban life.

“I live in a city in Spain. I use the subway,” Alberto said. “When you live in a city you can go anywhere. The country is different but the people are not.”

It is a bit warmer in Alberto’s native land. He also enjoys snowboarding. Alberto has taken a liking to hamburgers and macaroni and cheese, too. He is staying with Newtown High School student Sean Wilson and his family while here until July.

The AFS Club is having a fruit sale as a fundraiser. The deadline to order mandarin oranges or grapefruits is November 16. The prices for mandarin oranges – small box, $13 and large box, $21; grapefruit – small box, $12 and large box, $21; or a mixed box for $19. The pick up for the fruit is Saturday, December 8, from 9 am to noon. Call 426-7646 and ask for the Reading Math Center for more information or to order.