Sun, Nov 08 2009
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Published June 02, 2009 12:02 am - Prior to spending a year in the United States, Mariana Rocha Leite subscribed to the stereotype of the lazy, overweight American. Exchange students wrap up visit Conneaut, Edgewood families shared homes, lives with students By CARL E. FEATHER - Staff Writer - cfeather@starbeacon.com Star Beacon NORTH KINGSVILLE — Prior to spending a year in the United States, Mariana Rocha Leite subscribed to the stereotype of the lazy, overweight American.
Spending a school year with a host family in Conneaut, however, has changed the Brazilian teenager’s views. “I don’t think they are lazy at all,” says the svelte 16-year-old, who also has modified her views on the overweight American image. She recently joined two other exchange students — Thiwaporn “Wawa” Phruttiprasert of Bankok, Thailand, and Aya Takahashi of Kanagawa, Japan — to compare notes on their year in the United States. Mariana’s hosts are Jeff and Rachael Merlene of Conneaut, and their children, Matt and Megan. Anna Fortney and daughter Kaylynn Knauff of Monroe Township hosted Wawa. Terri Katchur and Tony Tulino of North Kingsville hosted Aya, who attended Edgewood Senior High School with her host sisters, Tara and Taylor Katchur. Although the three exchange students come from different nations, they share the same reason for wanting to spend a school year in the United States. “Because I wanted to learn to speak English more,” Aya said. “Australia and the United Kingdom have accents, but I like (the American) accent, so I decided to come here.” “I like American accent,” Wawa said. Mariana said her brother spent time in the United States and gave his experience a positive review, which influenced her decision to try it. She has a sister who was an exchange student in the United States, as well. Mariana spent a month in the U.S. last year before deciding to return for a full school year. Her father is a television reporter and her mother a government worker. Wawa’s father is a banker. Aya’s father works as a public works groundskeeper; her mother works for a family company that makes socks. Coming to the United States required months of planning, a lot of health checks and vaccinations and careful packing. Each student was limited to just 50 pounds of luggage. They soon discovered that much of the clothing they brought from home was inappropriate to the climate of northeast Ohio. All of them have since acquired school jackets from the respective high schools. They went through an orientation program prior to being placed with their families. They say the program taught them about American customs, fitting into the family structure and what to expect in school. The young women say the most challenging aspect of their year was adjusting to being taught in English — they say Americans talk way too fast. While their written English skills were strong, comprehending the language spoken at a conversational pace was difficult. However, Aya said she did not find the actual school work more challenging than what she had experienced in Japan. 
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