Costa sophomore Kiera Isgrig hosts familiar Spanish exchange student

By Stacy Cruz
Staff Writer

International school exchange programs give students around the world the opportunity to experience a variety of different lifestyles and cultures.

Costa sophomore Kiera Isgrig’s stay with the Tímon family in Spain last summer allowed her to explore the Spanish culture, and she will pass this on to the Tímon daughter by hosting her in the Isgrig’s home in Manhattan Beach.
During her freshman year, Isgrig stayed with the Tímon family in Móstoles, Spain, about 30 miles outside of Madrid. On July 12, the Isgrig family will welcome 14-year old Andrea Tímon into its home for a month and try to grant her a memorable foreign experience.

“Last year my experience in Spain was fantastic,” Isgrig said. “The Tímon family showed me many of their customs and helped me become accustomed to their daily routines.”

Tímon’s father did a foreign exchange program in the United States while growing up. He decided to send his daughter to stay with the Isgrigs in hopes that she will improve her English as well as enjoy a summer learning about California culture.

“My family and I loved the idea of giving her a fantastic summer that she will never forget,” Isgrig said.

Isgris’s mother, Cyndi Isgrig, believes that having Andrea will be a great experience for her whole family. She hopes that hosting Andrea will be culturally enriching.

“We hope that she sees what life in America is like and that she shares that knowledge with her family and friends in Spain,” Cyndi Isgrig said. “We want her to remember this for the rest of her life.”

Kiera Isgrig has plans for Tímon, just as the Tímon family had for her when she visited Móstoles. Their planned activities include visits to San Francisco, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Santa Monica Pier, frequent trips to the beach, surfing, paddle-boarding and jet skiing.

“I want to make sure she gets to see as much as possible while in California,” Isgrig said. “There is so much to see here, and she doesn’t have a lot of time.”

Isgrig visited Spain through a program called Youth For Understanding, or YFU, an international educational exchange organization that coordinates student homestays. Instead of using an exchange program, Tímon will visit the Isgrigs as a personal guest.

“I am really excited for Andrea to come meet my family this summer,” Isgrig said. “I had such a great time with her and herfamily last summer and learned so much about the Spanish culture. I hope that I can help her have the trip of a lifetime.”