Vitor and Luis enjoy a cultural exchange
The Germiston Rotary Club plays host to two exchange students.
Luis Contreras from Zacatecas, Mexico, landed in South Africa for the very first time in his life, in the early evening of August 15, 2018.
The young boy from South America arrived in Germiston, a town he’d call home for the next year.
Two days later, Vitor Rissatti from Guarulhos in Brazil made his landing.
The two young boys are taking part in a Rotary Youth Exchange Programme run by Rotary International.
“Annually Rotary International sends 9 000 learners from different countries around the world in the Rotary Youth Exchange Programme,” said Gerhard Stocker, the country coordinator at the Germiston Rotary Club.
“We in South Africa participate in two different programmes.
“There is the short-term, family-to-family exchange, where your child goes to a family in another country and that family’s child is scheduled to stay at your house for six weeks each.
“The other is the long-term school programme where learners move to a country for a year for schooling and other activities.”
Luis and Vitor are currently involved in the 12-month schooling programme.
“I come from a small town and when I arrived here the tall buildings caught my attention because I am not used to seeing such tall buildings,” said Luis.
“I had spent three hours on a plane from my home town to Atlanta, USA, five hours waiting on my flight to SA and 16 hours flying.
“The first night was scary, but it was all worth it, this country is worth the long flights.”
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The Portuguese and Spanish speaking lads had to learn the common language, English, a daunting exercise apparently, but five months into their stay they have made huge strides in that aspect.
Apart from their accents, the two now sound like locals using words like ‘braai’ and ‘lekker’ in their expressions.
“This country is made up of many languages and cultures,” said Vitor.
“When I arrived, the cars, roads and traffic reminded me of home, but one thing shocked me.
“I had initially thought South Africans and Brazilians were akin folk until I saw people here eating pizza with their hands.
“It is in my blood as a Brazilian not to eat pizza with my hands, we use a fork and knife.”
Luis, on the other hand, had been enjoying his stay until he tasted the local version of tacos, which fell flat on his palate, making him miss home, where they make tortillas with corn.
“Though I miss spicy food and tacos, I must say boerewors is the best thing I have had,” said Luis.
“I love it, chakalaka and the act of braaing.”
Another shock for Luis was noticing the steering wheel on the right-hand side of the vehicle and that his host country drives on the ‘other side’ of the road.
“The fact that there are a lot of languages spoken here was a lovely surprise, in Mexico we mainly speak Spanish, there are other dialects, but not a lot of people speak them,” he added.
Luis is currently a learner at Afrikaanse Hoërskool Germiston and Vitor attends Hoërskool Marais Viljoen High School, in Alberton.
In addition to learning about the cultural and educational differences, the learners were introduced to sport and for Luis, rugby is now part of his interests.
“I have not played it yet, but it is fascinating to watch,” said Luis.
Vitor is interested in the arts and culture activities and said he missed the Model United Nations, an extramural activity he participated in back at home.
“I have searched for it locally and I don’t think it exists in this town.
“Right before I came here, I attended a Model United Nations event, the theme was African United Nations,” he said.
“My country was Algeria and my best friend’s was South Africa.
“We had to defend the interests of our countries and by studying together I learnt a great deal about South Africa.
“In hindsight that exercise equipped me for my travels to this land.”
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According to Gerhard, the objective of this exchange programme is to create goodwill among different countries and cultures, make friends, get involved in community projects and learn new languages.
Vitor advocated for the programme, stating that South Africa was a great choice and every day he ponders on how two countries can be so similar and yet so different.
“Through this programme, I am gaining independence from my parents. Learning all these new things has added to my confidence,” said Vitor.
Luis is amazed at the warmth he has received and remains excited to hear a number of languages daily.
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