After a year filled with sports championships, entertaining drama productions and academic achievement, the year is winding down for Old Rochester Regional High School. But ORR students can’t leave without giving huge thanks and big hugs to their two foreign exchange students.

“I really enjoyed my time here because I was able to meet new people and my second family,” said Ailina Diaz, who is from Costa Rica. “It’s a completely new experience even when I was away from my family it was worth it to come.”

Diaz and Louisa Truss of Germany enrolled at ORR as part of the non-profit international exchange program AFS-USA, which is led by school nurse Kim Corazzini.

“The presence of these girls have made an impact on our kids by...allowing them to become more personally involved with a different culture,” said Corazzini. “Not only was it an experience for them, but it expanded our students knowledge of the world!”

Dias and Truss attended ORR for the entire year and were welcomed into the student community quickly.

“Louisa was in my history class so I got to see her every other day. I would see Ailina in the hallways and at lunch and she would instantly brighten my day,” said fellow AFS-USA member Sam Malatesta.

“Ailina and Louisa gained so much experience during their time here. They were able to see and live in a whole new culture that will leave a lasting impact on them,” Malatesta said.

With this foreign exchange program ORR students not only learned more about different cultures, but also gained new, long-lasting friendships.

Former AFS member and current volunteer Merredith Wickman said she feels strongly about the experiences students gain from the exchange program.

“I’m a big advocate of this, and so is nurse Kim. A lot of what happens in terms of education happens outside the classroom,” the ORR English teacher said. “So what starts here has to be expanded. Taking the kids to a place where they read about in textbooks is amazing.”

Unfortunately, goodbyes are the most dreaded time after a long-term visit.

“It was really hard to say goodbye because Ailina and Louisa have left a great impact on ORR that will never be forgotten,” said Malatesta.

Although Dias and Truss will be going back to their normal routines at home, the students of ORR can begin to look forward to next year’s foreign students.

“I loved my year here! School in America is really different and I wish everyone could experience an American school year once in their life,” Truss said.

One  exchange student is already in line for enrollment in the 2014-15 school year. AFS-USA seeks tri-town families to host students during their stay.  For more information on the program or to volunteer as a host family, call Jake Crumley at 508-922-3583 or visit www.afsusa.org.