The World Comes To M.V.: Introduction to the foreign exchange students at MVHS (September 5, 2018)

By JENNA RHUDE

Moapa Valley Progress

This is the second installment in an ongoing series introducing the group of foreign exchange students in Moapa Valley who are attending MVHS this school year. These students are in Moapa Valley to find adventure, experience a different culture and create life-long memories.

Fabian Pazos comes to Moapa Valley from Toffen, Switzerland where he lives with his mother Monica, his father Jose, and his little brother, Ismael.
Fabian’s parents were excited for him to come to America, although his mother was a little leary. “We are very close, and I will miss him a lot,” she explained.
His mother was an exchange student when she was young and knew it would be a good opportunity for Fabian.
Fabian’s father moved from Spain to Switzerland at the age of 15 to work. So his dad knew it would be a good challenge for his son.

While in America, Fabian hopes to improve his English and bring lasting memories home. He would like to become a psychologist.
Fabian’s host family situation is unique. He lives with Susie Jones and has extended family with Tom and Jenna Rhude and their six daughters right across the street. He attends high school with two of the Rhude daughters.

When asked about living so close to six girls, he says it was a bit of a shock but he loves it. He jokingly refers to the girls as his nieces.
Fabian enjoys fashion design, music, cooking, and hanging out with friends. He is excited to experience the American culture he has seen in cinema and can’t wait for prom.

Fabian has dual citizenship in Spain and Switzerland and he speaks five languages: Spanish, German, English, Italian, and French.

Tien-Ni Kuo, better known as Olivia is from Hualien City in eastern Taiwan. She is the only child in her family. Her parents are father, Chi-Wei Kuo and mom Shi-Yang Lee.
Olivia has been interested in a foreign exchange year since she was young and worked hard to come to America. She remembers, while attending primary school, asking her mom if she could become an exchange student. Sadly, she recalls her parents kindly letting her know they would never have the finances to send her to such a program.

However, while she was in junior high school, her government began a program where citizens could earn scholarships for exchange programs. Olivia immediately enrolled and began attending the classes required to receive the scholarship. She was granted a scholarship to come to America and she now has several siblings in her host family.

Olivia is staying with Luke and Jessica Minogue, three host sisters, and one host brother. Her host father expressed how happy they are to have her in their home.

Olivia said her parents are very proud of her for choosing an exchange year and working so hard to get to America. She loves and misses her family, but is grateful that technology helps her stay connected to them.
Olivia has aspirations of becoming a teacher or a diplomat. She wants to make a difference in other people’s lives.

She is a cheerleader at the high school and likes to play badminton and table tennis. She loves to sing, play the guitar, dance, read, and hang out with friends. Olivia speaks four languages: Mandarin, English, French, Japanese, and is currently enrolled in Spanish.

Florian Heider is from Munich, Germany where he lives with his dad Peter, mom Diana, and older sister, Mary.
Flo, as he is called at school, liked watching movies about America and and is excited at the opportunity to come her and experience what America has to offer.

At first, his parents thought he was joking when he asked them about doing an exchange year. But after they realized he wasn’t joking, they were very proud of his decision to travel as a student.

Flo lives with Mike and Kristen Uri and his host brother and sister, Will and Keeley. He was excited when he arrived and found that the Uris had dogs. His mother is allergic to animals, so he has never had a dog at home.

When Flo read his host family profile, it said they had a pig. Kirsten assured him the only pig they have ever had is in the freezer. But Flo likes to tease the family and keeps asking where they are hiding the pig.

While in America, Flo is participating in American football. He also hopes to play basketball. In Germany, he enjoys soccer, skiing, and scuba diving. He likes to listen to music and hang out with friends.
“Flo loves to eat,” says Kristen. He aspires to be a food critic, and also wants to be efficient at Octoberfest.
Flo has lived in Germany his entire life and speaks English and German.