College students enjoying South American sojourn

Cullinane College exchange students to Argentina, Alisha Russell-Fricker (left), Ashley Buchanan, Harriet Heron and Daniel O'Sullivan. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO

Four Wanganui Cullinane College students were over 10,000km from home, living among Buenos Aires' teeming population of 3 million.

Alisha Russell-Fricker (Year 11), Ashley Buchanan (Year 13), Harriet Heron (Year 11) and Daniel O'Sullivan (Year 12) just returned to school on October 9, after spending a month in the Argentinian city, where they practised Spanish with their host families and in the classroom.

Daniel said it was difficult in the first week because of the speed with which the people spoke. But the students soon communicated to "please repeat" or a shrug which said "I do not understand".

Daniel is in his fourth year learning the language and said his Spanish had improved with the Argentinian experience.

Harriet is vegetarian, so there was not a lot of choice for her. But Daniel, Alisha and Ashley enjoyed the food, especially the "dulche de leche", a delicious caramel-like candy made from milk and sugar that is popular in many South American countries.

The empanada, a pizza-like food, was a hit. The mate tea which was passed around, Ashley found, kept the conversation flowing.

Harriet said it was an amazing country.