Claire Meyer, left, and Maria Rivero enjoy a reunion at the Meyer home before Rivero heads off to Kansas State University. Herald photo by Liz Pierson.

In the 2011-2012 school year, exchange student Maria Rivero from Bolivia stayed with the Duane and Holly Meyer family. She decided to become an exchange student because of the great opportunity to meet new people and experience their culture. Rivero also hoped to step out of her comfort zone and grow on a personal level.

On Jan 10, Rivero decided to return to Bern to visit her host family before going on to Kansas State. She chose to study at K-State because last year while she was in Bern, she went along on many trips to K-State and enjoyed watching their games.

Rivero also has a brother studying in Mexico and a sister studying in Texas. According to Rivero, college in Bolivia is not like college in the U.S. In Bolivia, students live at home while attending college and the education they receive is much like a high school education in the U.S. Rivero hopes to achieve a better education by coming to K-State.

At K-State Rivero plans on studying marketing and hopes to use her creativity to get a job in commercial advertising in either Bolivia or the U.S. She also wants to be involved in international business club and a salsa-dancing club. Rivero will be staying in the dorms with other U.S. students, not exclusively international students.

“Being an exchange student has opened my mind to new things and helped me become more independent. I think by going to K-State it will help me continue to grow,” Rivero said.

Rivero recommends students should at some point during their education travel to a foreign country.

“It will help you figure out who you are, and will make you step out of your comfort zone while taking in a whole new culture,” Rivero said.

Rivero left on Jan. 14 for college orientation, which will run through Jan. 17.

Story by Liz Pierson, staff writer for The Sabetha Herald