January 03, 2008,
| Hello everyone, my name is Javier
Beltrán and I was an exchange student in 2001 and attended to Athens
Area High School.
Right now im still in the university
majoring in Hotels administration and im doing my internship in the Hilton
Margarita Hotel.
I have been able to achieve a lot
of things, like being one of the best students of my university and also
went to Tenerife, Canary Islands for a special course of Total Quality
in Hotels Management. All that thanks to the experience that i have as
an exchange student, not only because i learn to communicate in English,
but also because it made a more mature and focused person.
I wanna thank all the PEACE staff
for their support and help while I was in the US, I owe you a lot, and
hope to be able to get in touch with you someday soon.
Take care.
Javier Beltrán |
In December, 2006, Julio
Guillen, ES 2001-2002, came back to Olean NY to visit his host family,
Gale and Rex Marvin. Julio is seen here with Gale, Melody and Jayden
Marvin, Manuel Orellana, Belén Malo
I took this picture
in September 2006, almost 4 years after I left Coudersport when I
was an exchange student. My host family, The Bradley's, were surprised
to see me, they didn't now I was going to visit them. It was such
a great feeling. Francisco (Frank) Fortuna
 11/3/2006
Tatiana Latre was an exchange student attending Elk Lake HS for the 1997-1998
school year. She was married June 30, 2006 and was a beautiful bride.
Tatiana and her husband  David
live in Zaragoza, Venezuela. She shared her news with her former rep, Marti
Holmes, who kindly shared it with the entire PEACE family.
10/30/06
Orlando Figueira, who was an exchange student in 1997-1998, wrote to Hilda
Muñoz to tell her he has just graduated from Business and Trade.
"At last! :) haha," as he says. Orlando is sending also a
message of thanks to Hilda Munoz , and to PEACE ORG. for all the support
given to him when he was an Exchange Student. Orlando says being an Exchange
Student with PEACE has been the most important  experience
in his life. He still keep in touch with his Host Family, and uses
its name as part of his e-mail address. Orlando says his host family was
the best, and they taught him so many things. He will never forget them
nor the Experience.
6/23/06
Dashiell Lopez, ES, 1995-1996 and Ana Galarza Martín were married
on June 23, 2006 in Venezuela. We send them our love and a
wish they will find all the happiness in the world. They are shown
here with Dashiell's parents, Nestor and Aida Lopez who have gained a daughter
4/17/05
Hello
everyone!!!!
My name is Berynes Sosa. I was an exchange student for the school
year 1997-1998 in Pitman, Pennsylvania and that certainly was one of the
most incredible experiences in my life. It was enriching and nurturing.
After an amazing year spent with the Oxenrider Family I came back home
in 1998 and attended Universidad Central de Venezuela for five years in
order to get my Preschool and Elementary School Teacher Degree. I
have been working as an English Teacher for 5 years now and now…..
I am returning to the USA this coming summer to work as an "Exchange Teacher"
in Charlotte, North Carolina!!!! I can't wait =)=)
Thank you so much for such a wonderful experience and opportunity.
It really made a huge difference in my life and there is no way I could
ever be able to forget it!!!!
Lots
of love,
Berynes Sosa!
 Hello
to everyone, is so good to find this website, I´m so glad I can send
a few lines to let you know how I´ve been in my life after having
the experience of being an exchange student, in the school year 1994-1995.My
name is Hilda Isa Salas Soto, but I like to be call just Isa, and I spend
my year in Philadelphia, PA, and attended to Central High (next year is
my class reunion) but since then my life has change a lot, I keep on remembering
that phrase on the brochure that I read when I was invited to the program...
All those who participate in an exchange program are more likely to success
in their life and career... I studied Mass Media at UABC, the local university
of Baja California in Mexico, I graduated four years ago and since then
I´ve been working and what I really like, entertainment.
Currently,
I work as a reporter for a radio show call La Taquilla, that is heard nationwide
and also in Guatemala, Honduras and the south border or et US, since this
is a "gossip show" I enjoy it very much and I can tell you that I was REALLY
surprised that Fermin Caballero is a former exchange student for PEACE...
indeed I can tell you that he is very successful with his music career,
but since he declare to the world that Jesus is his savior, he's become
a Christian Artist.
I
send you a great big hugh
Hope
Everything is all right, Blessings to all but mostly to Mr. and Mrs.
Page.
p.s..
I would like to see a list of former students of each year, mine is not
listed... would be nice, I also send you an actual picture of me.
This
is a great idea and I will work on it . Thanks, Rosanne
 2/4/04
We just received this update on one of our former students, Ana Virginia
Quijada Mata, and it is always nice to receive updates from them.
It is amazing to see that although the students go back to their own country
and family, they don't forget their American family and P.E.A.C.E.
Hi!
Its
been long since I last emailed you guys to tell you about my life... sounds
pretty self-centered but I'm very happy with what I'm doing so I just figured
that I must tell you because the experience of being an ambassador made
my life richer and sincerely, I don't remember having a life, or at least
such an exciting one, before I put myself up to the task.
Since
I last emailed you, I have made lots of improvements in my carreer. I'm
going to graduate in December, so I'm working on my Thesis Production.
It's a documentary and I'm very proud of it because it tells some important
facts about the beautiful people of Margarita Island thru the folk stories
they believe in. Its a lot of responsability, but I think this is the path
that I chose to walk, and its my calling. I'm planning on returning to
the US to complete my education; I'm looking foward to get a Master in
TV & Film. I'm training to get enough skills to do a good job and I'm
sending in my applications.
I talk to the Sheaders (Host Family) almost every week, thru the Internet
and sometimes over the phone, I miss them terribly but I don't think I'll
be able to see them for a while. Its funny, but I think I've grown closer
to them as the years go by.
Thanks
for remembering us, I would love to do speeches and things like that if
I get to go to the states. I loved doing that while I was up there! So
I'll be in touch if the opportunity comes.
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Hello
from Ecuador:
Diego Fajardo wrote
to say hello and let us know that he is doing well. He sometimes
talks to Veronica Vidal and she told him that, like him, she misses her
"gringo" family. He says that he hope this year's students enjoy
their trip as much as he did, because he thinks that it is one of the most
beautiful things that he did in his life.
8/26/03
Great news from Dashiell Lopez, He has graduated and is working in
a radio station in Caracas as a DJ. He just started a Production
Company with a friend, and they are working in a few projects with TV too.
"I graduated as a Mechanical Engineer last year, but I really like working
in Mass Communications. You can visit our web site at www.mientrastanto.net."
Needless to say we are very proud of a former PEACE student, but even more
proud to claim him as our son in Venezuela. We love you Dashiell.
Rosanne and Sam Dutton
7/03/03 I am John Russell 1996-1997, stayed
with the Keith Family in Newark, DE. I am doing well, I just graduated
from North Carolina State University and now I obtained a job in Los Angeles
CA. So far so good, I just wanted to give signs of life. Please
take care and please send my regards to the Keith family
Regards,
John
~Mateo,
1993/1994, and Dayana Turanzas, 1996/1997,
sent
us this picture from Venezuela. They are doing well!
03/12/04
Hi every body!!
My name is Veronica Gonzalez, I was an exchange student of P.E.A.C.E at
the period of 96- 97, in a little town called Nesquehoning (PA) with de
Fullmer family.
It’s was a wonderful experience, I learned a lot about life in the United
Stated and the people in other countries. But the most important
for me was discovering myself, my ability, and capacity.
Marian High School in the Tamaqua area was the school that opened the doors
for me. There I found a very special people whose always gave me
their hands.
Right now I’m finishing my career (Mass Communications) in Barquisimeto
–Venezuela, and I would like to thank you for the opportunity that
you gave me to understand others cultures because in my professions it
is very important.
I
useful this occasion to tell you that I lost my diploma of Ambassador Student
and I would like to know how can I get another, if you can send it to me
by email or regular mail?
I’m
very interesting in my diploma, so let me to know the soon as possible.
Thanks you very much
Sincerely,
Veronica
Gonzalez Rivero.
Isable
Del Moral a 2001-2002 exchange student returned to the USA for a visit
with her host parents Daniel and Brenda Murphy. While here, she called
not only to say hello, but to volunteered for doing school speeches.
We were happy to have her with us and she did a great job!! Thank
you Isabel
Rafael
Fortuna, 1998-1999, is now attending college in Muskegon, MI.
He is about to get his licnse as a commercial pilot!!! This picture
was submitted by a proud younger brother and PEACE student (2001-2002),
Francisco Fortuna.
~Mercedes
Malave, 1996/1997, is attending the
Universidad
Central deVenezuela in Caracas
~Miguel
Chami, 1998/1999, has created
a
web page to com- memorate his stay in Pennsylvania.
We
recently received word from Mexico that Fermin Caballero, PEACE
Student during the 1991/1992 School Year, has become quite a celebrity.
He is becoming well known for his band,
Control
Machete. His hit song - Entiendes Mendez. Keep an eye out
for him!
June
18, 2001~ Alejandra Morales PEACE Student during the 1998-1997 School year
signed our Guest Book to let us know that she is now going to college and
was very happy she had the opportunity to go to Pennsylvania; it helped
her a lot.
Renny
Oliveros, 1996/1997, has returned from Venezuela to study at Geneva College.
Recently Renny visited his former high school and helped with a school
presentation on Venezuela. Thank you, Renny!
Oscar
Espronceda, 1996/1997, has returned from Mexico to attend college
on a Soccer scholarship at Salem, West Virginia.
David
Gonzalez, 1996/1997, wrote that he is attending the University
of Texas, PanAmerican. He expressed his thanks to PEACE for giving
him the opportunity to gain the experience needed to attend this fine school.
Good Luck, David!
Marifel
Marquez, 1995/1996, is studying at Universidad
Simon Bolivar in Caracas.
Deida
Rodriguez of Mexico, 1995/1996, is in her third year at University
of Texas at El Paso. She received a half tuition scholarship based
on her TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score.
Deida and her family came to the states to spend a week with her former
host family, the Mossors in Toronto Ohio, in August of 1997. (submitted
by Betty Mossor) |
