11/5/2007 - Exchange student takes U.S. to heart
ST. CHARLES — More than two months removed from his home in Brazil, Vinicius Caixeta sported a black hoodie with the Mizzou logo emblazoned on the front one recent day at St. Charles West High School.
By Jessica Bock
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Sunday, Oct. 28 2007
He stops while describing a recent trip to Columbia, Mo., and tries to recall the name of the party before the football game. You know, where there is lots of food in the parking lot.
Tailgating?
“Yes, that’s it!” he says, laughing. “Everybody was very excited.”
The game has been one of many highlights so far for Vinicius — known as Vinny by his friends and family here — since he arrived in August to live with a St. Charles family. Vinicius left his home in Patos de Minas, Brazil, to spend a school year in America through AFS Intercultural Programs. It is his first time away from his home in Brazil.
In the short time he’s been here, several events have found their place in his collection of good memories. The Mizzou game. A homecoming dance. Scoring a soccer goal on parents night.
But there have been struggles, too.
His grandfather’s death in September back home in Brazil.
Juggling a new school, classes, homework and soccer practices and games. Finding a way to be himself in a new language and culture.
Being so far away from his family when his grandfather died of cancer was one of the most difficult things, Vinny said.
“When I gave him that last hug before I left, he cried, but I was worrying
about other things,” he said. “Here, I cried thinking of how much he was
probably suffering.”
As for settling into a new culture and high school, Vinny thinks the first
impression some have of him is that he is innocent or shy. Not so, he says. In Brazil, he’s an outgoing guy who prides himself on a goofy sense of humor.
“It’s hard to be funny here, because I can’t express myself in the way that I’m used to,” he said.
But he has made connections and friends in his classes.
“He’s a really fun guy to get to know,” said Sammi Plantz, 17, who met Vinny in psychology class and invited him to attend the homecoming dance with a group of friends. “Everyone at school knows him — if he’s walking down the hall people are saying, ‘Hey, Vinny.’”
Like Sammi, most of his good friends happen to be girls.
Diane Gambill, an AFS liaison who will help Vinny throughout his time in St. Charles, says that’s not unusual with boys in the program.
“Vinny likes to ask a lot of questions about culture,” Gambill said. “I’ve
never seen a kid so inquisitive. Girls are a little more patient with those
types of things. I think that might be part of the problem of making friends with boys.”
In classes such as psychology, Vinny is happy with his grades. But U.S. history and American literature — brand new subjects to Vinny — have been tough.
It was the second week of school when his American Literature teacher, Chris Birch, realized how difficult the assignments were for Vinny. They were discussing a writing assignment about the Apache tribe, and Vinny broke down. His fellow students had grown up learning about American Indians; he was starting from scratch.
“That was a wake-up call for me,” Birch said. “The main thing is for him to have a positive experience here, while at the same time getting a valuable education.”
Teachers have modified assignments for Vinny in both classes so the learning objectives are the same, but the amount of work is less daunting.
“I think he’s taken a lot in stride, and he seems to be a lot more
comfortable,” Birch said.
Vinny is adjusting as he should be, and he has escaped bigger problems that some exchange students encounter at this point, such as major communication issues or a mismatched host family, Gambill said.
“He’s right where most are at this time,” she said. “At this point, we’re
trying to prepare the kids for what to expect coming up. Some get really
depressed around the holidays. We want them to focus on getting out and doing things with American friends, letting them know it’s important they start making phone calls and asking people to do things because they are no longer new to the kids at school.”
An orientation last month with fellow AFS exchange students allowed Vinny to reconnect with the teens in the program whom he met when he landed in St. Louis. Some of the others are having a tough time in school and adjusting to the culture and language, he said.
“The problems I’m having are small compared to others,” Vinny said. “I’m very lucky with a good family and good school.”
Corey Fortney, his host dad, says taking care of Vinny is like parenting your typical 17-year-old: You help them manage their time between homework and sports, and work through problems at school. And keep the corn flakes stocked.
“I eat a lot of corn flakes,” Vinny said laughing. “I think I’m giving my
family some trouble with that.”
Some nights, Vinny says, he’s really tired but can’t fall asleep if something’s on his mind. On those nights, it helps to talk with his host family.
“I can talk with them about anything,” Vinny said.
At one point, Vinny’s schedule of soccer and school was wearing him so much he considered quitting the team. But he’s been inspired by his teammates’ dedication to soccer. Everyone tries their hardest, no matter if they are winning or losing, he said.
“That’s what matters, having fun and giving your best,” Vinny said.
In soccer and throughout the rest of this experience, that’s what he’s going to remember.
jbock@post-dispatch.com | 636-255-7208
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