CNBNews

By Albert J. Countryman Jr.

The Rotary Youth Exchange Program allows a student to spend an entire school year abroad with another family.

  This year, Maria Zuluaga, 17, of Columbia, South America, is studying at Gloucester City High School and staying with the family of Jack and Linda Dilks.

  "We all learn different cultural experiences. We are building a friendship that will last a lifetime," said Dilks, a longtime member and past president of the Gloucester City Rotary Club.

  "Maria is like a daughter to us. This is a great program sponsored by Rotary International," added Dilks, owner of Hambleton Stewart Realty.

  "I am learning a lot," said Maria, whose father, Cesar, is also past president and a longtime member of the Monteria Rotary Club in Columbia.

  "I do miss my family. I am a little homesick," said Maria, who calls them once a week and communicates daily on the internet.

  Her mom's name is Maria, and she has a brother, Diego, 19, and a sister, Sara, 12.

  "Maria is wonderful to have around," said Linda Dilks, adding that they all had a wonderful time during a recent trip to New Mexico and Arizona.

   Linda's daughter Emily, 15, said having Maria at the house is like "having a sister. We go to school together."

  Also, Emily helps Maria with her English, and Maria helps Emily with her Spanish.

  Linda's son Cole, 12, said it is great to "learn about a different country."

  Through the nine-month Youth Exchange Program, Maria will stay with the Dilks family until June 2008.

  It will be her first Christmas away from home. She said she will miss the feast of the Epiphany celebration in Columbia.

  At home, Maria likes to ride horses. Her dad is a cattle rancher.

  "I want to be a veterinarian. I love all animals, and like being around animals," she said.

  Her hobbies also include drawing and painting, and she had created some beautiful sketches since she has been in the United States. She said she enjoys the art class at Gloucester High.

  Jack and Linda, and the Rotary Club, have kept Maria busy, with trips to a Phillies game, Ocean City, the Philadelphia Zoo, and – of course – shopping malls.

Two weeks ago, Maria saw the Grand Canyon in Arizona and the Hot Air Balloon extravaganza in New Mexico.

  Maria said she has enjoyed her time in America very much.

  "Everyone is very nice" she said, and added that her family in Gloucester City has been "great hosts."