Our 8th grade class had a very special guest for the month of November - Marcela Mack, an exchange student from Guatemala City, Guatemala! Marcela previously attended the Austrian School in Guatemala and stayed with a family friend in our area during the past month. Her hobbies include reading, playing soccer, swimming, and traveling. Marcela has been lucky enough to visit some extraordinary countries including Turkey, Austria, Croatia, France, Belgium, Italy, Greece, England, the US and more. She went on her first exchange at just 10 years old. This past July she had the opportunity to travel with Children's International Summer Villages (CISV), whose mission is to keep global peace through global friendship.
I met with Marcela during her last week here in Buffalo for a short interview to gain some insight on how she spent her time at SMS and what she thought. Enjoy!
RK: How many languages do you speak?
MM: Three, I can speak German, English and Spanish fluently.
RK: What are your favorite subjects, and were they the same here as at home?
MM: My favorite subjects are Math, German and English. While here at St. Mary’s I still liked Math and really liked Spanish! I found Math class different but not more difficult than in Guatemala.
RK: How did our school day differ from what you were used to?
MM: The school day here is longer, but the periods are shorter. My normal school day at home is 7 am - 12:40 pm. Also, music class here is fun and interesting with more of a focus on practical singing.
RK: Are there any classes you had here that you don’t have at home?
MM: Yes, we don’t have Bible study or Makerspace at my school. I loved Makerspace here, especially making the floats for the Thanksgiving Parade in the gym, I was in the group that made the Christmas tree!
RK: Speaking of Thanksgiving, was this the first time you had celebrated it?
MM: No, I have actually celebrated it before with my Aunt. But watching and creating our own little Macy’s Parade in school was new! I also didn’t expect to celebrate Thanksgiving in school at lunch, but that was really fun.
RK: While we’re on Thanksgiving and food, what did you think of our school lunches?
MM: They were really good! I bought lunch frequently and really liked the French Bread Pizza. I feel like school lunches here were health conscious.
RK: How about classic “Buffalo” food like wings or beef on weck? Did you try any of those dishes while you were here?
MM: Yes- Buffalo wings were good but too spicy for me! Sloppy Joes were also new for me, they were good!
RK: What kinds of foods do you like to eat when you’re at home?
MM: I like traditional foods, like tostadas with sauce, parsley, and avocado.
RK: How did you spend your time outside of school while visiting us?
MM: Well, I did swimming through the JCC, visited Niagara Falls, and watched the Bills and Sabres!
RK: So you mentioned the Buffalo Bills, are you an American football fan, or a futbol (soccer) fan?
MM: I have to say I’m more of a soccer fan versus US football, but it was nice to get to know another sport!
RK: Is there anything you missed from home while you were here?
MM: My friends back home! But I made new friends here too!
RK: Who’s your favorite teacher at SMS?
MM: Mrs. Whipple
RK: Do you have any specific memories you’ll take away from this experience?
MM: The Thanksgiving “Balloons over Broadway” float parade, 8th grade service projects, and how funny, kind, and accepting my fellow 8th graders were!
RK: Is there anything you’d like to tell your classmates?
MM: Thank you for accepting me, this has been one of the best exchange experiences I have ever had!
Thank you Marcela! You will be missed, but we're sure your classmates will keep in touch, and who knows, maybe visit you one day!