The Citizen, 2003-08-13, Page 7THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2003. PAGE 7.
Exchange students have no love for mosquitoes
opportunity to come to Canada
because it helped him to improve his
English.
“My English is still the worst and
my grammar is still the worst but
I’ve learned more.”
Murphy and Huhtala have also
learned card games such as lost heir,
euchre, and five crowns.
Murphy, who receives his exam
results when he goes back to Ireland,
wants to be a history and geography
teacher. He just finished high school
and whether or not he attends
university depends on his exam
results.
“I’m half looking forward to
seeing them and half not looking
forward to seeing them,” he said.
Murphy feels his experience of
travelling and living in Canada for a
summer will be beneficial to his goal
of becoming a teacher.
“This will help me deal with
people and learn how to tolerate
people.”
Huhtala has aspirations of
becoming a pilot so he can “travel
everywhere.”
When asked what he’ll miss,
Murphy was quick to reply that he
will miss every person that he’s met.
“Meeting people from different
countries and learning how they
work has been great. It’s the little
things, like the egg slicer [Regina
used], I had never seen one before.”
Regina loved the experience of
being a host family and thought it
was nice to have action back in her
home. With her children gone from
home, “it was nice to have young
blood in the house.” ,
For Steve, having the boys around
was like “seeing everything through
new eyes.”
Help protect the
environment
Reduce, reuse
and recycle
Exchange family
Robert Murphy, second from left, and Eero Huhtala, third from left, stand in front of the boat
that towed them when they learned how to water ski. The two stayed at the home of Steve
and Regina Campbell in Auburn as part of the Lion’s International Youth Exchange. (Sarah Mann
photo)
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By Sarah Mann
Citizen staff
For two European teens staying in
Aubum for the summer, the only
every house has a sauna. Here a
sauna is dry but in Finland you can
throw water on the rocks.”
One of Huhtala’s favourite parts of
his trip to Canada was seeing The
Lion King in Toronto.
“The feeling that you get when
you’re watching. . . it was
awesome.”
Huhtala was glad for the
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thing not to like was the mosquitoes.
Eighteen-year-olds Robert
Murphy, of Dublin Ireland, and Eero
Huhtala, of Vilippula Finland, were
staying at the home of Steve and
Regina Campbell in Aubum and said
the only thing they didn’t like about
Canada were “the mosquitoes and
the big black horse flies. They’re
terrible,” explained Murphy.
Murphy came to Canada when his
former primary schoolteacher
offered him the chance to be part of
the Lion’s International Youth
Exchange.
What Murphy likes the most about
Canada is what he calls “the
adventure sports.” While here he
tried water skiing and wind surfing
and loved it.
“Water skiing is brilliant,” he said.
“I also learned how to fish.”
Murphy also enjoyed the weather.
“In Ireland there is usually a lot of
rain. It’s warm here all the time,
even when it rains. This is nice,” he
said.
Murphy also talked about how
Canadians are very nice and
hospitable.
“The people are willing to do stuff
for you and they always make sure
that you have everything. The host
family, friends, and neighbours are
really good people. They always
want to give you more.”
Huhtala. whose neighbor offered
him the chance to come to Canada,
felt the same way. He liked the
“friendly people” and “beautiful
nature.”
Although Murphy found the
people in Canada to be similar to the
Irish, Huhtala said the people in
Finland are very different.
“The Finnish are shy and they
don’t go talk to strange people,” he
said. “Here, everyone talks.”
What Murphy missed the most
about home is his family and friends,
whom he spends time with everyday,
but said, “if 1 was at home. I would
nave done nothing, just worked.’
What does Huhtala miss? Finnish
saunas
“Saunas are a place where you can
go and relax," he said. “In Finland,
INFORMATION.
A POWERFUL MOSQUITO REPELLENT
The mosquitoes that are most likely to bite you are breeding in your own back yard!
West Nile virus is on a lot of people’s minds these days. West Nile virus surveillance
activities in Huron County and across the province indicate that we could be heading
into a peak transmission of the virus from mosquitoes to humans. In 2002, the
majority of human cases of West Nile virus in Ontario were reported in late August
and September.
The Health Unit urges residents to remain vigilant in reducing standing water around
homes, cottages and businesses. Eliminate mosquito breeding sites by turning over
any container that can hold water after a rain storm, cleaning up decaying leaves,
debris and old tires, and cleaning out eaves troughs.
The Huron County Health Unit is monitoring birds and mosquitoes for West Nile virus
and will provide timely information on any human cases that may appear. While the
chance of serious illness is low, we should all take common sense precautions to
reduce risk.
Avoid areas with mosquitoes, especially during dusk and dawn when they are most
active, and in heavily wooded areas during the day. Wear light coloured clothing and
cover up whenever possible. Use insect repellent on exposed skin, carefully reading
and following all product instructions found on the label.
Stay informed about West Nile virus so that you can have a healthy summer.
To find out more, visit www.huroncounty.ca or call the Huron County Health Unit at
482-3416. If calling long distance, dial 1-877-837-6143.