Exchange student leaves EC with a lifetime of memories

By Kasey Chapman
Special Correspondent

June 13, 2008 11:45 am

— Culture shock is one way to describe Lucas Faisca's initial reaction when he first visited Elmore City just over 10 months ago.
"It was difficult for me (to) stay without my family… It was also hard for me to adapt (to life) in the country and in a city with 800 people," Faisca said.
"Where I live has 500,000 people and I live downtown," he added.
Now a 2008 graduate from the Elmore City-Pernell High School, Faisca will make a bittersweet return to his hometown of Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil on July 1.
"(I will miss) my host family, my friends and the (First Baptist Church of Elmore City) youth group every Sunday. But I'm excited that I'll go back to my hometown.”
In addition to spending time with his host family, friends, and youth group, Faisca was also the EC-P boys' basketball manager.
The 16-year-old Brazilian exchange student enjoyed the company of two host families during his stay in America — Joy and Paul Pyle from Antioch and Twila and Curly Fowler of Elmore City.
Faisca, who says he has gained five pounds while in the United States, enjoys American fast-food favorites such as pizza, hamburgers and French fries. He also likes watching "As the World Turns,” "American Idol" and "Deal or No Deal.”
As he leaves Elmore City, he says he will remember it as "a small town with a lot of good people that support each other.”
Faisca hopes to one day become an Ambassador of Brazil and teach English to the Portuguese-speaking students of his country. He also wishes to eventually make a return trip to Elmore City someday.

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