Our inbound student for the 2007-2008 school year is Fernanda Garduno Janz. He will be in Edwardsville from August of 2007 to July of 2008.

Frenando turned 17 on August 25th, shortly after his arrival at John and Sheila Mike’s home. John and Sheila will serve as Fernando’s host family up until Thanksgiving.

Fernando was born in Mexico. His father is Mexican and his mother is German. His father works as a lab technician developing lacquer for the wood industry. His mother teaches technology and Spanish. He has lived in Germany since he was three years old, but he still has family in Mexico and the Los Angeles area so he has visited Mexico and the United States on several occasions.

Fernando is enrolled as a senior at Edwardsville High School. When he returns to Germany he will still have a year or so of schooling to finish before he proceeds on to higher education. He has not decided on what area of study to pursue. He enjoys playing the steel drum and has played the piano since he was four years old. He also loves to play tennis and volleyball.

Fernando states, “As an exchange student I want to get to know other countries, cultures, and people. I want to get to know how it is to live in other countries. I also want to become more independent and I want to be able to speak a foreign language fluently.” Fernando already is fluent in German and Spanish. Anyone who has spoken to him also realizes that he speaks very good English. It appears as though his goal of obtaining fluency in foreign languages is fairly close to being accomplished. The next time you see Fernando, engage him in a conversation and help him fully achieve his goal. Welcome to Edwardsville Fernando!