Rotary Seeks Host Families for Exchange Student

News Release

Coudersport Rotary Club recently learned that Felipe Herrera, a 16 year old boy from the city of Chillan, Chile, will be arriving in August to spend the school year in the Coudersport area. The club is seeking host families to house Felipe and show him some good Potter County hospitality.

Host families provide room and board for our exchange students, and should treat the exchange student as a family member. Spending money is furnished by Rotary. Felipe will be attending Coudersport Area junior Senior High School. Felipe is an active young man who enjoys team sports, especially soccer. He is very musical and a guitar player as well. At home in Chile he has a 12 year old sister. His father is a police supervisor and his mother is a housewife. He is in good health, although he is allergic to cats.

Felipe is very excited about coming to Coudersport. He states that “I want to learn about a culture, which is totally different from my own, try new things, meet new people, make friendships that will last, have unforgettable experiences, and also I want to learn languages.” He speaks English quite well, having had 6 years of instruction.

Hosting a child from overseas offers local families a special opportunity to learn about a foreign culture and the customs of another country, as well a chance to show this child what life is like here in rural Pennsylvania. If you are interesting in hosting Felipe for part of the coming school year, please contact any Coudersport Rotarian. You may also contact Nancy Grupp or John Leete, the local club’s Youth Exchange Officers, who coordinate the exchange program. John can be reached at 274-7878 and Nancy at 274-8565.

Several local students will be taking part in the short term Rotary summer exchange program for 2011, with Jason Bertrand traveling to Trapani, Sicily in Italy and Rachel Morris likely heading to Spain. Katie Lowe, a senior at Coudersport High School, will spend the next school year in Finland as a long term Rotary exchange student. Coudy High student Chris Long is just finishing up a successful Rotary exchange in Germany while Tony Capatch is having a wonderful Rotary exchange experience in Taiwan. The John Burgess family has hosted Indonesian student Vania Rahardjo for the current school year. Don’t miss the opportunity for your family to take part in this unique and rewarding experience.

Article has been updated. Katie Lowe was originally listed as a junior. Article has been corrected to reflect she is a senior.