LAURA ELENA GROSO, right, foreign exchange student staying with the William Gaffords, looks up the meaning of an English phrase in a Spanish-English dictionary with the Gaffords’ daughter, Laura. Laura Elena does not speak much English, but with the help of the dictionary and sign language she is able to communicate with her hosts. (Photo by John Brand)

Laura Elena Groso, a 15-year-old Mexico City native,

arrived July 2 for a two months stay at the home of

Mr. and Mrs. William Gafford of New Ulm.

Laura is sponsored by the International Student

Exchange Program of Minnesota in association with

the Intercambio Internacional De Estudiantes. The

Gaffords first learned of the program through a church

bulletin at Holy Trinity Cathedral which asked for host

families for Mexican students.

About 320 students left Mexico for Minnesota,

Washington, and other states plus other countries throughout

the world. Thirty-five students are in Minnesota.

Laura is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. German Groso

of Mexico City. Her father owns a factory which makes

iron rods for construction.

Laura has two sisters, 14 and 12, and two brothers, 13 and

6. One of her brothers is also an exchange student in Seattle, Wash.

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SEVERAL Spanish-English dictionaries were visible

around the Gafford home. Laura speaks little English, so the dictionaries

help her communicate.

Two of the Gafford children, Laura and Bill, took Spanish

in school, which breaks down the language barrier a little more.

Mrs. Gafford said that in the week Laura had been

with them, she had already improved her English vocabulary,

although at times the family has to use sign language or show her objects

in order to be understood.

Laura has many of the same interests of American

teenagers her age. She likes to play piano, tennis, pingpong, ride bicycle and listen

to rock music. Many popular rock songs in the U.S. are also popular in Mexico.

Laura knew all the English words to the popular tune Morning After even though

she speaks little English.

Many American television programs are also popular

in Mexico, although they are dubbed in Spanish. Laura

enjoys programs such as “Bonanza, Bewitched, Gentle Ben, High Chapparal and

“The Flintstones. She was pleasantly surprised to see these same programs here in

the U.S.

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SO FAR Laura has enjoyed the Fourth of July fireworks

display and a visit to Schell’s park. Since she also

likes football,the Gaffords would like to take Laura to

the Vikings training camp in Mankato if the professional

football players settle their strike.

Food has been no problem, according to Mrs. Gafford.

She said Laura seems to enjoy eating whatever the

rest of the family eats, although she hasn’t tried peanut

butter yet.

She really likes pizza, said Laura Gafford.

Laura will live with the Gaffords until Aug. 29.

New Ulm Daily Journal

July 11, 1974