The students sat on a row of tables and chairs lined down the hall in one of Ellis Middle School's halls. Kia from Finland, Natalie from Thailand, Hinda from Indonesia and Johanna from Austria sat at one at the end and discussed techniques on how to decorate the large orange pumpkins on the tables.

"It is my first time decorating a pumpkin," Kia said, as if excusing herself as she outlined a mouth.

A few minutes later Kevin, of France, approached the table, asked everyone where they're

from and introduced himself.

"I am cute because I am French. All French boys are cute," he said.

He then spoke in French and before leaving the table, he translated, "all of you are very beautiful."

The girls giggled as he walked away and made his way to the rest of the tables.

The students have come to Austin for the Austin Rotary Club Youth Exchange Weekend. It is one of the three mandatory weekends sponsored by The Rotary District 5960 and neighboring District 5950 for all the inbound international students staying in the two districts.

This year the 60 international students participating come from 27 countries including India, Poland, Brazil, France, Denmark and Ecuador.

"What is great about this is that is a cultural exchange, not academic. The kids are here to interact and learn from American and each others cultures," said Kathy Stutzman, one of the event's coordinator.

Most of the students have only been in the country for about two months and the event was one of the first times for them to meet. Some of the main purposes of the weekend event, according to organizers, was to build better international understanding between the students and provide support while students live a year away from home in a foreign country.

Stutzman said that with the success of last year's event the Austin Rotary Club was asked to host the event for the fourth year. Some 85 Rotatarians from the Austin community volunteered to help with the event. The students also visited the Span Museum and spent time with Austin Rotatarians.

Visitors and guests from the two districts such as the District Governor, international committee members and past international exchange students were all present at the event. The approximated budget for the weekend event was about $6,200.

"The cost of the weekend spread out. The Rotary Club put part of the funds, and different places and people donated food and space," Stutzman explained.

Maryanne Law, also a member of the committee, found it interesting to see how quickly the students build friendships.

"I think is great that they are able to take what they learn here and share it with their friends and family," Law said. Usually the Youth Exchange meetings only last for 24 hours, but because of Austin's

location the students get 48 hours instead.

"They dance, laugh, sing and talk. They do so much that when they go back to their host family, they basically pick them off the floor,'' Stutzman said.

Roxana Orellana can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at :mailto:roxana.orellana@austindailyherald.com