Once she arrived, she found people here different from people in her native land. Here, people are subdued. Compared to her friends in Chile, students at Northfield High School are quiet, respectful, and serious.

Imagine her surprise when soon after her arrival the quiet city of Northfield erupted into The Defeat of Jesse James Days. Suddenly Claudia found herself in to middle of fun and noise and lots of food -- almost like Chile. And there was the bank raid re-enactment, which she loved.

Although the rest of Novoa's year in Northfield has not been so sensational, it has been fulfilling.

She attends Northfield High School, where she takes photography, painting, biology, Spanish (where she helps other students), English as a second language and health. She had taken only one year of English in Chile, but is progressing well with her new language. She understands everything she hears, but still has some trouble with the wording of biology tests and with photographic terms.

Outside of her classes, she runs on the cross-country team ("I'm doing OK") and enjoys being with friends, either at their houses or at The Key or Goodbye Blue Monday ("I like the music").

What has surprised her most in Northfield are the squirrels. She likes them; there are no such animals in Chile. She is also surprised by the lack of public transportation. Especially where Novoa lives, in the heart of the nation, you can go everywhere in Chile by bus or train.

She lives with her host parents Mark and Diana Abbott in Dundas. Later on she will live with Lee and Vicki Dilley and then with Mark Gleason and Kristi Wermager.

Since she has been here, she has traveled to state parks and to the Abbott's lake cabin, as well as to Minneapolis and St. Paul. At the end of her year, Rotary will take her on a trip up and down the eastern seaboard.

In Chile, her father heads an electrical company. Her mother draws for an architectural firm. Her mother plans to visit Northfield in time for Novoa's prom and graduation.

She is one of about 7,000 young men and women between the ages of 16 and 19 who each year study in foreign countries sponsored by the Rotary Youth Exchange program.

When she returns to Chile, Claudia will spend six months studying for exams, which will determine if and where she will get into college. She hopes to study medicine.

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