Connecting with a new culture and the people that live it is always wonderful. The best feeling is when we watch our kids bond with other kids in a meaningful way despite differences in language and culture. That is just what happened when 8-year-old Brandon from Minnesota joined our Pen Pal program and met Diego, an 8-year-old from Cuzco, Peru.

Brandon and Diego exchanged letters for six months. It started in January and lasted until they met in June, when Brandon visited Peru with his family. In total they exchanged over a dozen letters! Brandon started off by introducing himself and asking Diego about his family and what he likes:

My name is Brandon. I am 8 years old and I live in Minnesota in the USA. I like to go camping, skiing, and play with my friends. What do you like to do? I live with my mom, dad, and my pet rat, Pepper. I don’t have any brothers or sisters. Do you have any brothers or sisters?

It’s cold outside here. It’s 30 degrees F (-1 degrees C). I like pizza, tacos, and steak. My favorite dessert is cupcakes. What are your favorite foods?

Diego quickly wrote back:

My name is Diego, I am 8 years old too, and I Live in Cusco, Peru. I don’t have any sisters or brothers but I have a pet dog, “Oso.”

I like to play soccer. My favorite food is “Chicharron” is a typical food of Peru, and pizza too! Now I play on a team for soccer and I would like to be a soccer player.

I like to ride bike with my friend and to see Dragon Ball.

After a few more letters they found out that they each like to play Minecraft and recess is their favorite part of the school day! These were good things for them to bond over.

Hi Diego,

You said that you liked Minecraft. I built a tree house in Minecraft for you but it burned down because there was a fireplace in it and I accidentally put two nether rack blocks next to the fireplace. So, I built us a new one. I hope you like it!

 

Hi Brandon, how are you?

I really liked your letter, thanks for sending Minecraft photos, I tell you that I was also playing Minecraft and I found diamond in layer 16 it was very exciting!

It wasn’t only Minecraft and recess that both boys liked. They talked about playing with their best friends, visiting their grandparents, and how much they like to go swimming. This is what Brandon’s mom had to say about their Friends Across Borders and pen pal experience:

“The Friends Across Borders program was an awesome experience for us!  I refer to Diego as Brandon’s Peruvian twin.  They had so much in common!  I felt like it really hit home the concept that despite whatever differences in language, location, or culture that exist, we are all just people.  It also made him more invested in the trip.

On the day they met, the two boys stood face to face and said nothing… then a soccer ball came out and all these kids from the neighborhood showed up and it was all fun and games from there.  At one point, Brandon was attempting to communicate with Diego through wild hand gestures.  I think the meaning was conveyed.  It was a wonderful experience!”

And this is how Brandon feels:

“It was nice to know someone I could share with and they could share things that were going on.  I liked getting his letters and responding back.

I like when I met Diego because it was fun and exciting.  It was really fun to play soccer, jump rope, and tug of war with Diego and his other friends.

I would highly recommend it for other kids! It made my vacation that much better.”

Stories like Brandon and Diego’s are what family travel is all about— creating unforgettable memories together and connecting with a new place and the people that live there. Brandon and Diego each made a new lifelong friend and their families will remember this adventure forever!

Ask us about our Pen Pal and Friends Across Borders programs. They make every adventure even more special.