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Staten Island Academy Hosts Visiting Scholar from Argentina

February 8, 2007 – Since the winter break, Staten Island Academy has been hosting a very special “Visiting Scholar” on its campus: a high school graduate from a school in Argentina who will be starting University in that country in March.

Agustina Galantini hails from Monte Caseros, a town with a population of about 35,000 people located in the northeastern province of Corrientes. She is one of several students that have come to the United States from Argentina since 1998 under an initiative established by Staten Island native Paula Eberhart. Ms. Eberhart lives in Argentina for most of the year and runs an English-language teaching institute there. She began bringing students to the United States during Argentina’s summer break (December through February) because of her experience as a graduate fellow at the Universidad de Belgrano, Buenos Aires. Two students from the States have also studied in Argentina under the program. “It’s so important to meet people with different backgrounds and share lifestyles and culture,” said Ms. Eberhart, who adds that her exchange program is more reasonably priced than others because students are only required to pay for their own airfare and personal expenses.

Agustinia has been staying with a Staten Island host family, Chris and Nancy Benbow, since arriving in the United States on December 24. The Benbows have taken Agustinia to many places throughout the Northeast, including Philadelphia, Boston and Washington, D.C. This is Agustinia’s first time visiting the New York area; she has traveled to Florida on past trips to the United States.

Ms. Eberhart chose to partner with Staten Island Academy this year because of Agustina's host family's and her family’s connection to the school. Ms. Eberhart’s brother is a 1972 graduate of the Academy, and Mr. Benbow's brother is also an Academy alumnus. “Although I have worked with many public schools in the past, I thought a small, academically rich independent school would be the best fit for Agustinia. Agustina was a highly motivated student at her school in Argentina; in fact, she was the valedictorian. I felt she was worthy of and would contribute to the creative, stimulating environment Staten Island Academy could offer her."

Agustinia has been auditing classes at Staten Island Academy since the second week of January. She is enjoying the experience. “Everyone is so friendly and nice here. I’m very happy, and I’m not having any problems understanding English,” said Agustinia, who has been studying the language at Ms. Eberhart's English institute since she was 4-years-old.

Agustinia wanted the opportunity to come to America and be immersed in the culture to improve her English-speaking skills and to have the experience of living independently away from her home. After college, she hopes to secure a job as a diplomat in Argentina.

One of the things that struck Agustinia about living in the New York area that is different from her home in Argentina is the strong sense of patriotism she has observed in Staten Island. “Everybody has a flag,” she commented. “In Argentina, no one displays the flag unless the soccer team is doing well, and as soon as the team loses the flags disappear!”

The Academy hopes to arrange a reciprocal exchange by sending a student to Argentina during the summer break as part of the school’s External Studies program. Last summer, more than 30 Staten Island Academy sophomores, juniors and seniors expanded their educational horizons through participation in diverse choices, from Columbia University’s Writing Program to volunteering in a hospital in India and other programs as far away as China, Iceland and Spain.

Press Contact: Liz Campbell, 718-303-7813, communication@statenislandacademy.org