EXCHANGE FAMILY TIES

Deb Hays and David Craig of Kimball have formed a unique family bond with their two foreign exchange students, Matias Sokas from Norway and Francesco Cagnoni from Italy, both seniors at Kimball Jr./Sr. High School.

Suffering from the empty nest syndrome and a tranquil household, the couple previously sponsored foreign students and decided to renew their experience.

The program's rewards are plentiful, but the primary goal is "getting to know the students themselves" and their culture and traditions – and "keeping in touch with them once they get home" adds to the experience.

Every year is special, according to David. This year, Matias' brother and mother came to visit, and they traveled together throughout Colorado.

In addition, Deb and David took Matias and Francesco to Charleston and Myrtle Beach, S.C., during spring break.

Matias and Francesco, both 17, are now part of Deb and David's family forever.

Matias has been with Deb and David since school started in August, and thanks to Instagram, Matias had a jump start on many friendships before arriving in Kimball.

"I just got to know a bunch of other people, knew them well before I got here," he said.

Matias will return home and complete his specialist education, which includes nature science, Norwegian, math, English, Spanish and social studies.

Next year after graduating in Norway, Matias intends to join the Norwegian military. Basic training is 6-12 months, and he hopes to join the Air Force.

English is the most popular foreign language in Europe, where schools teach English from the beginning of primary school. Francesco said, "You guys are kind of lucky to know English."

Francesco hails from the northern part of Italy and came to Kimball after Christmas for the last semester of this school year.

"I love this school," he shared.

Francesco enjoyed riding the school bus and having two or three "matches" (basketball games) a week, so he saw and experienced other schools.

The first week here, Francesco said he was overwhelmed because he studied UK English and had a hard time understanding and figuring out English slang, phrases and pronunciation.

He said, "I wasn't understanding half of the words you were saying (referring to Deb). I was saying 'really' after the sentences. Not saying. "Could you repeat it?' "

In the first month here, Francesco felt like his pronunciation was much better. "In the beginning, my English was really Italian. It still is a little bit, but much better."

The size of the school was good for Francesco, he said he feels very comfortable in the school and knows everyone. He has made very good friends.

Comparing American schools with Italian schools, Francesco said in Italian schools, the lessons are longer with fewer assignments but more difficult assignments. Francesco felt that even if the testing and classes in American schools are easier, "I don't think that everything you learn at school is from tests and lessons; American schools give you more experiences and activities to do than European schools."

Next year, Francesco will finish his last year of school in Italy and then make his plans. He likes the American schools and is contemplating returning to America for college.

"That is a big step," he said.

Both Francesco and Matias played sports here. Matias participated in football, basketball and track. Francesco played basketball and is now running 100 meters and 400 meters in track. In Europe, the most popular sport is soccer, and both boys played soccer at home. Along with soccer, Matias also played ice hockey, handball, and studied taekwondo.

The differences in the weather were like night and day for Francesco as he said, "The past weekend was hot and beautiful. Then the week after the cold came back."

As for Matias, "For me it is quite the opposite, the snow has just disappeared in Norway, but here it has been gone since January."

While dealing with the Norwegian weather, Matias also has six months of daylight and six months of darkness in his hometown. He said, "We get two to four hours a day of the sun in the wintertime, and in the summer we get 23 hours of sunlight. It is pretty hard to sleep."

After graduation, Matias and Francesco will have completed their American high school experience and return for their last year of school in their home country.

While here, Francesco said, "Everyone is very kind and gentle to us."

Matias confirmed the hospitality, saying others have been "very willing to help."

The friendships and family they have made in Kimball will last a lifetime.