St. Vincent de Paul School welcomes students from Mexico

Friday, Apr. 03, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY — For the past eight years, Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic School has had a relationship with the John F. Kennedy Primary and Preschool in Guadalajara, Mexico. Last month, 35 middle school students from JFK visited St. Vincent and enjoyed a day of cultural exchange. When the Mexican students arrived, they were paired with local students. As an ice breaker, students from both schools introduced themselves and shared their interests and hobbies. The Mexican students used Google Maps to show St. Vincent students their school and their community. Together, all the students did some role playing and skits on peer problem solving, which is advantageous for all middle-school youth.

Students enjoyed attending classes together, conversing in both English and Spanish, eating lunch and playing soccer, a universal sport. 

To conclude the day, students took part in an Irish dance, a tradition at St. Vincent de Paul School. With huge smiles on their faces, students enjoyed performing the steps together and interacting in this dance. Valuable lessons were learned as they took in a new culture, honed Spanish skills, but most of all made lifelong friends.

“My experience with the Mexican students was great!” said Madi Tartaro, a St. Vincent seventh-grader. “They were very polite, respectful, and fun. I learned a lot about where they are from, what their school is like, and much more. Even though we only got to be with them for a day, I felt like they were our regular classmates.” 

Patrick Maxfield agreed that this cultural interchange was a good experience. “I thought that this experience was very fun and helpful to understand another culture and their traditions,” he said.