After being on a plane for 11 hours  to reach his new residence, foreign exchange student, Victor Garcia Barrientos, who  originally lives in Toledo, Spain, has made Archer City home.

“Ricky and Paula Allen are my host parents,” he said. “They have a younger son named Zech and we get along very great.” 

America is a different country than Spain, Victor said. 

“I think it’s a really nice country. The way people behave is really different in Texas than other places I hear,” he said. “School is different as well.  It’s a lot more comfortable than mine at home.”

Although America isn’t Spain, Victor said there are similarities. 

“The landscape is the same,” he said. “Big cities have the same structure and are always busier.”

He has been to other countries as well.

“I have been to Italy, France, England, Ireland and Portugal.” Victor said. “America would have to be my second favorite. Italy is definitely No. 1 just because I love the ancient Gods and looking at the pantheons, which are temples for Gods. There’s a lot of details in Italy.”

Although he has traveled to all of these destinations, he would go more places.

“Greece is next on my list,” Victor said. “Just like Italy, Greece shares a lot of mythology. The Greek culture is also very fascinating. I would also like to go snorkeling  in the Gulf of Mexico.  It’s just a different way of learning about life on the reef.”

Victor said he enjoys traveling by boat the most.

“We travel by plane most of the time,” he said. “I think this method of traveling is the hardest because you have to be there right on time or if not wait for the next plane that could take hours. We also arrive late at night, and I don’t like that. The only good view on planes is the window seats. I can look at the landscape. Traveling by boat is the most scenic route; it just takes longer.”

Victor said he still misses things back home.

“I always miss the food,” he said. “Nothing about the food is the same anywhere. Nothing can beat the food in Spain. Everyone thinks this answer will be my family, but I feel like I’m away from them so often that the feeling isn’t the same miss as everyone else. I do miss my family, but they know I’m having fun here.”

Victor said he is enjoying his time in America.

“I love America,” Victor said. “My main goal was to improve my English and make friends. I know that I will have someone to trust if I ever decide to come back. If I could stay another year, I would.”