2/28/2006 - Ole! Felix
This year has taken a Latin twist for 15-year-old Felix Best from Glenbrook, the recipient of a $4000 scholarship to live and study in Costa Rica this year.
Felix, who has just completed Year 9 at Blaxland High School, was awarded the scholarship from AFS Intercultural Programs for his academic results, sporting achievements, and community involvement.
Meanwhile he has impressed his parents by raising $5700 for the trip with garage sales, trivia nights, selling chocolates and working at a local restaurant.
Felix has always wanted to travel to Latin America and thought Costa Rica sounded like an adventure. He has begun studying Spanish and is particularly looking forward to the music.
“Speaking a new language is something I’m quite excited about, and just . . . getting into the whole thing, the culture,” he said.
“You’re really living there, not just on holidays.”
While he will miss some things about the Blue Mountains – friends, family and, of course, rugby – he is confident about handling a year overseas.
Unfortunately he is a little less confident about his parents. “I think they’ll struggle,” he laughs.
Felix departs on February 3. He is grateful to both AFS and the Blue Mountains community for helping his dream come true.
“I was really surprised how much people wanted to help me when I told them of my plan to go on exchange . . . people are so happy to help me out,” he said.
Story by Jacqui Knox, reprinted with permission from the Blue Mountains Gazette, Springwood, Australia, February 1, 2006.
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