Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE -ÊThey came to the United States from Finland, Japan and Peru as part of the Lions International Youth Exchange.
Their mission: To take in as much of the U.S. culture as they can in four to six weeks.
"I came first, the 27th of June," said Harri Paakki, 18, from Oulu, Finland. Paakki returns to Finland Monday after a six-week stay with Steve and Donna Varner, Syracuse.
Jose Luis Ynga, 17, from Lima, Peru, will stay with the Varner family until Aug. 13. He's been in the United States since July 11.
Finally, Koichi Yoshida, 20, of Osaka, Japan, came to the Varner household earlier this week. He will leave for another host family Monday.
During his stay, Paakki said, "We've been to Chicago, Michigan City, the (Indiana) Dunes and (Indianapolis) Speedway."
Donna Varner said Paakki also saw the Wawasee Flotilla on July 4 and the demolition derby at the Kosciusko County 4-H Fair.
"Either the fireworks or the Dunes (is my favorite)," Paakki said. "I like the Dunes."
For Ynga, the best part of his stay, so far, has been, "Chicago, the stores in Chicago. The lake."
Yoshida, in his short stay with the Varners, pointed out that beside the Speedway, he went to a huge music store in South Bend. He enjoyed both.
Paakki and Ynga went to a Wizards game in South Bend. "I liked it," said Paakki. "I heard some guy said it was not the best game, but I liked it."
Paakki said, "We've eaten lots of fast food. I liked the goulash, too. I liked the corn, too."
Donna Varner said they've been on the go a lot so Paakki didn't get to eat as much corn on the cob as he would have liked.
Yoshida enjoyed the chicken they had at Bob Evans Thursday night.
As for Americans: "The people in the USA smile a lot more than in Europe," said Paakki. "They're happy and come to talk to you. They talk like they've known you a long time."
Paakki and Ynga helped with the Lions Leader Dog project in Michigan last week, in which leader dogs for the blind are evaluated.
"It's one of our state Lions projects," said Donna Varner. She said the evaluation is set up like a fair.
"We worked," said Paakki, smiling. "I made popcorn." Ynga helped Steve Varner guard the kennel.
Each of the three young men had studied English before their trip to the United States.
"I started studying English when I was 10, from the third grade, until now. It's (mandatory). I have one year to go," said Paakki.
Ynga studied English for only three months. Yoshida studied English for six years, but, he said, "In Japan, we learn to write English but not speak."
Since the young men didn't all speak the same language, Donna Varner said, what brought them together was music. Once a song came on the radio in the car, the boys had something to talk about.
"I think music is a connection for them," said Donna Varner.
"I play guitar," said Paakki. "I listen to all kinds of music." He said he listens to everything from oldies to new music, including rock, rap and techno.
"I love music," said Yoshida, who has his own band. "The same as (Paakki). Rock 'n' roll and folk."
Ynga's favorite type of music, he said, is, "Rap. Hip hop."
The boys also have in common their opinions of the United States.
"The U.S. is very big," said Yoshida.
"The stores are very big," said Ynga. "Here, there isn't as many buildings. There are more homes. I like (it)."
Paakki said, "Everything is big in the USA." When they first came to the United States, Paakki said, they spent one night in New York City. On the second day, before they left New York, they went on a sightseeing tour and the guide told them there are 17 million people in New York City.
Paakki found that interesting, he said, because the entire country of Finland has only 6 million people.
Their stay in the United States was very good, they all agreed. One reason was because of their hosts.
"I like them very much. They've been very nice and I've enjoyed my stay," said Paakki.
Host families for the Lion International Youth Exchange do not have to be members of the Lions. To find out more about becoming a host family, area residents can call Donna Varner at 528-6394.
"We are looking for host families," she said. "The quicker we get the application, the better they can choose from a country."
Participating families host the youths for four to six weeks.
Eighty-four countries participate in the exchange.
"The really neat thing is the comradeship built between the students," said Donna Varner.
She said participating youth learn more about the world around them and "they've all been good so far."
