ROCHELLE — It’s been over 40 years since Alicia Colombres has seen the McDermitts, her foreign exchange host family.

The foreign exchange student from Buenos Aires and the family have been reminiscing since she arrived in Rochelle a few days ago. They reconnected through social media a few years ago and had been planning this visit ever since.

Colombres and her husband, George Aramburu are looking forward to seeing the skydivers at the Flight Deck before leaving to visit family in the New York and Washington, D.C. area on Sunday.

Sitting around the kitchen table, Colombres shared some stories of her visit with the McDermitts when they lived in Celina, Ohio before moving to Rochelle. Coming from a warmer climate in Argentina, Colombres said one of the first things she noticed was the climate and the snow. She also appreciated the structured environment in the McDermitt family home.

“I loved it in the U.S. when I was here before. Everything was in order…I like structure and organization,” Colombres said. “We don’t have snow where I live and I remember it was very cold.”

Ann and Hugh McDermitt’s daughter, Dianna Roman, remembered the day she heard an announcement at the high school about hosting foreign exchange students. At the time, Roman said she urged her parents to apply. Their first exchange student stayed with them for six months. Colombres came to stay shortly after, enrolling as a senior at the high school.

“I was a junior in high school,” Roman reflected. “We were like sisters. We went just about everywhere together.”

After her stay in the U.S., Colombres returned to Argentina, studying for six years to be a doctor and another three in her specialty to become an ear, nose, and throat physician. Her husband is a cardiologist, and together they own a clinic that employs 60 doctors.

Just like yesterday

On Thursday, Roman and her husband, Juan, took Colombres and her husband sightseeing in Chicago. Places they visited included Navy Pier, strolling Michigan Avenue, and an architectural cruise on the Chicago River.

“It is very lovely and clean,” Colombres said about her Chicago visit. “North Michigan Avenue and the flowers, they are gorgeous. The lake is so clean and beautiful.”

Roman said the couples logged in nearly eight miles walking around downtown, also stopping to enjoy a famous Chicago deep-dish pizza.

A big family get together is planned for Saturday at the McDermitts.

Hearing the stories and seeing the smiles on everyone gathering around the kitchen table show the feelings of friendship and family that began 44 years ago are still evident.

“It was the best thing I have ever done,” Colombres said of her foreign exchange experience.

The McDermitts also enjoyed the experience having a foreign exchange student.

“It was wonderful. It really broadens your horizons…I don’t think many realize how well educated the rest of the world is,” Ann said.