Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-02-11

One of the most. popular students
at Coburn Classical Institute this
year is Luis Ferro, a South Amer
lean. Ferro is specializing in Eng
lish at Coburn and his progress in
the language has been remarkable.
Coming to this country in April,
1924, the twenty-year- old boy made
his temporary home in Trenton,
N. j., where several friends Of his
had been studying. Last fall Ferro
came to Coburn with hardly any
knowledgs, Of English. yet in six
months time he has mastered the
language to such an extent that he
can carry on any ordinary CONVEX
sation and understands perfectly.
Ferros home is in the city of
Bogota, Colombia, the center of the
coffee raising region and his father
is the owner of one Of the largest
plantations in the country. Real
izing that most of his fathers bus
mess was with the United States,
Luis decided that he would come
here to study American business
administration and thus be fitted to
later handle the affairs of the great
plantation that will some day be his.
In order to enter a college he would
have to know English and upon the
advise of friends in Trenton he
came to Coburn. One reason for
his coming here was that he had
learned in his native country that
New Englanders spoke the most
perfect English.
People hardly realize the struggle
that Ferro has had to learn so
much Of the difficult English lang
uage in such short period Of time
yet 1t is only a matter of pleasure
with him as it is his soul interest.
He has many novel ways of learning
and he never misses a chance to
hear a lecture or play where he says
that the speakers talk slowly enabl-
ing him to get every word and it's
meaning. His hardest work is the
double concentration which Is more
Oh less eliminated now. On hearing
an English word he would have to
translate it in his mind to the Span
ish before giving an answer. This,
OF course. was somewhat difficult to
him but now he is able to carry on
conversation with hardly an in
terruption.
The climate in northern New
England Of which Ferro had heard
SO much. about both pro and con,
seems to please him. He saw his
first snow this winter and he made
a thorough examination Of the
fakes, also learning how to make
snowballs, this latter having stood
him in good stead as more than
once he has been the participant in
lively SNOWFALL battle. He does
not mind the cold weather and he
may be seen at any time walking
around without an overcoat.
Ferro's favorite American food IS
pie; he declares that 1t is the best
fern of pastry that he has ever eat
en-. In South America, with abund-
ant fruits, pie is unknown and it is
his intention to introduce the New
England delicacy to his home upon
his next return. He takes an inter-
est in all games and football is per-
haps his favorite. OF course he
comes from the land Of bull fights
and cannot hardly be expected to
enjoy such tame contests as foot
ball and basketball, nevertheless he
Is follower Of the sports and is al
ways ready to witness any form of
game.
Having a fine general education,
Ferro is well versed on American
history and present conditions so that
ne Is able to compare his native
country with ours and hold I'D his
END OF an argument in fine style. 1t
Is his intention to go to the Uni
versity Of Michigan where he will
study business administration and
banking and then return to South
America.