Sanfelici taking in U.S. experience

Hot Springs County High School is home to three international students this school year, and among them is Aurora Sanfelici from northern Italy around the same region as Milan, who arrived on Aug. 16, and is attending school as a senior.

Sanfelici is visiting through the Rotary Youth Exchange program, the same which provided Hyrum Rich the opportunity to travel to and study in Aguascalientes, Mexico. She noted the United States was among her choices to travel, and it's one of the best places for the experience because it is a more developed country.

Kaila and Justin Jones are hosting Sanfelici while she's here, and Kaila said she was contacted by the local Rotary chapter. As a student, she always thought it would be cool to travel and study in another country, but a busy schedule growing up kept her from it. "Now," she said, "it's awesome to be able to give an opportunity to another student and be a host family."

Sanfelici said sometimes in Europe they think the U.S. is similar, but it's not. One difference in particular is distances, she said, as everything is fairly close together in Italy. The approach to economics is also different, she said, as we have everything we need even in a small town. In Italy, she said, there are different things in different towns, but not everything in one town - except in the larger communities.

She's looking forward to skiing while she's here, be in contact with the culture, meet some people and enjoy the experience here. Kaila is looking forward to the experience as well, and having lifelong friends in another country.