FAMILY LEARNS MUCH ABOUT SPAIN THROUGH FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENT

A 14-year-old exchange student from Pamplona, Spain, briefly tasted American culture during the month he spent with a Cape Girardeau family.

Gorka Oficialdegvi Perez was welcomed by Charlie and Royce Adams and their three children when he arrived in Cape Girardeau on July 3.

Perez said the most memorable activities he's enjoyed while in America include playing tennis, attending a Cardinal baseball game in St. Louis and going canoeing in Van Buren.

As an exciting send-off, the family plans to take Perez to Six Flags this week. He will leave for Spain Aug. 5.

Perez is not the only one to have benefited from his visit to Cape Girardeau. The entire family enjoyed learning about Spanish culture.

The family also learned about one of Perez's friends Miguel Indurain of Spain who won the Tour de France bicycle race last year and will probably win again this year.

"Miguel lives less than a mile away from me," Perez said. "We've been friends since we were born. I'm very excited about him possibly winning the race."

Perez also shared interesting information about the "running of the bulls," a week-long festival which takes place every year in Pamplona.

When he was 10 years old, Perez said he participated in a "very scary experience" of running with the young bulls in the festival, he said.

"Most of the bulls are very big," Perez said, "but I ran against the little ones. It's very exciting because when you hear the bulls start running, you immediately take off as fast as you can!"

Perez said his father was gored in the leg about five years ago when he participated in the festival.

A seasoned traveler, Perez enjoys learning about new cultures. He recently took a trip to Ireland.

"In Ireland, I was with other Spanish students," he said. "But, in America, I've been able to learn more English, which is the main reason I wanted to come here."

An avid sports fan, Perez said he wants to attend the Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

Royce Adams said Perez was very quiet when he arrived for his first visit to America. However, she asked a Spanish-speaking friend to help convey how welcome he was in the Adams' home.

"He has adjusted very well," said Charlie Adams. "He is definitely invited to come back and visit because he's been an outstanding gentleman. My wife's mother immediately loved him because he gave her a kiss on both cheeks."

Royce Adams said Perez has been amazed at the low prices in America. "He couldn't believe that soda refills were only 25 cents," she said. "Also, when we went to a restaurant with a smorgasbord, he was amazed that he could go back as many times as he liked."

Perez said the food is slightly different in America. "I like the hamburgers here," he said. "I know of only two McDonalds in Spain. One is located in Madrid and the food is very expensive."

Royce Adams said Perez is the sixth foreign exchange student the family has sponsored, but the first one from Spain.

"We've been really lucky because we've had no trouble with any of the students," she said. "Also, they've helped interest our children in learning a different culture and language."

Charlie Adams said foreign students are very pleasant to accept. "We do our best to treat them like family," he said. "One other person doesn't add that much to the bill."

Perez came to America sponsored by the Nacel Cultural Exchange program.