Travis Knoll: carta al colegio

De: Travis Knoll <tknoll43@yahoo.com>

Asunto: Una carta al Colegio Nacional...

Dear Students and Faculty of the Rafael Hernandez National College,

I appreciate the honor that you all granted me to attend the National College as
a foreign exchange student from the United States of America in one of the
most presigous High Schools (and one of the most recognized cities) in all of
Argentina. I write today to offer my thanks and comment on the wonderful gift
you gave me in the five months that I attended your school..

On the third of March I learned that I had been accepted into the National High
School as a foreign exchange student of AFS intercultural programs, because it
was the school attended by my host siblings,your classmates. I had already
heard much about the prestige of the school, its relation to the university, its
famous alumni, its high selectivity, and its beatiful architecture, but the
students, my classmates, and the faculty in the CNLP were, and ARE, the
essential part of what made the CNLP so warm, welcoming, and such an
integral part of my experience in La Plata and in Argentina. Their unique mix of
dedication to academics and their willingness to party reshaped the view that I
have of school systems and structures. Coming from the US where the school
structure is very rigid and frigid, I was quite suprised by a school that could
shut down the first day due to a party of the incoming Senior Class the night
before. I learned that the National College respects a student's right to have
fun, and learn seriously at the same time. After the classes ended each day, I
learned how to master soccer and pool thanks to the patience of many of my
friends, and learned which food is the best in Argentina. Thanks to my friends
here I have aquired a taste for mate (I drink 8 mates in one sitting).

The students of the national college are among the most diverse and gifted
students that I have encountered in either the US or Argentina. Do to their
natural curiosity they follow their interests, be it philosophy, politics, soccer,
music, or the many beatiful girls that grace the school (the last is a common
interest shown around the world and is one of the driving factors behind why
students choose Argentina for exchange). The diversity of the school was
represented in my division Sexto Segunda, which had a wide range of hard
working students, atheletes, and personalities, that through their conflicts and
differences, created a harmony that enhanced my point of view to be able to
see the value of each interest. The diversity also allowed me to find myself
without being defined in narrow catagories, realizing that each point of view of
a person is valid although I may not share it..

The students, on the whole, gave a very gracious welcome, sharing their
stories, their culture, their jokes and their mate, all so that a student like me
from the outside may learn and share a part of their lives. Another exchange
student, Tomi of Hungary, also shared part of this journey with me, although he
was already well established when I arrived and was a lot more adjusted and
likable than I would ever be. He gave me valuable advice on how to adjust to a
new life and language, and as I soon realized, reflected the openess of the
student body of CNLP. What Tomi represented was the adjustment of a foreign
exchange student with the help of an excellent group of peers. Tomi and I were
completely different people, but you all accepted us both as we were, with our
different characteristics. This is just another example of the diversity of the
CNLP, taught by the faculty, and applied by the students.

The faculty was very gracious, treating me not as an observer, but as a

student, giving me the kind of attention they would normally give a student.
From Historia to Cine, from Lengua to Filosofia, the faculty teach with open
minds and eyes toward critical thinking rarely seen in the US or the rest of
Argentina. The majority of the teachers teach with enthusiasm and skill to form
the next generation of thinkers in Argentina.

I have heard many despair about the declining standard in Argentina, but the
CNLP has dispelled these notions, and strengthened my conviction that through
education and dedication the world's countries can conquer any crisis and
overcome any obstacle. The philosophy of AFS is tolerance through knowledge
of the other, and through an interaction in the everyday life of a culture
different than your own, and is fufilled by the CNLP. The CNLP represents, to the
best of my experience and knowledge, the best qualities in Argentina. Thank
you students and faculty for sharing your effort, lives, and most importantly
your time, making my experience the best that it could have been. I shall
always remember your generosity.
Sincerely,
In gratitude,
Travis Knoll