Gonzalo Pratto, (Gonza for short), is Rotary St. Johns new  International Exchange Student.  Gonzalo is 17 years old and comes from Rio Cuarto, Cordoba (Argentina).  At home he attends a technical college specialising in Avionics and Aeronautics.  He was President of Interact Rio Cuarto Sur and is passionate about helping people in need.  He hopes to become a Paediatric Doctor.
 
He has started at Glendowie College (Year 13) and will be with us for one year.  He is looking forward to “Presenting” to our club when he has had a little more time to practise his English.  
 
His first Host family are Hugh and Jackie Scott-Russell and he has already settled in very happily.  Please "Read More", for Gonzalo's letter of introduction to our club.  The following picture is of Gonzalo's first visit to our Club last Thursday with his Counsellor Rosemary Hutch and 3 of the Host Families, the Scott-Russell's, Ingram's and the Leylands.   
                                                                                                           18th February, 2019, Auckland.
 
Hello, my name is Gonzalo Pratto and I am 17 years old, I live in Argentinean province of Cordoba. My family comprises my mother (a politician and lawyer), my father (a farmer), and my two brothers. In Argentina my favourite thing is to help people that need our help. I was in Rotary and Interact.  I was the president of my interact club and later took a district leadership role.  Rotary asked me if I would like to do an exchange, of course I said yes.
 
Why did I want to do an exchange… because I want learn another language and about other cultures because maybe one day I will incorporate this in my country. I want to study children’s medicine (paediatrics) and I want to reach kids with the available modern medicine as well as share a hug with them. My dream is to be a very good professional but first be a good person. After paediatrics I would like to enter politics.
 
I have been in Auckland, New Zealand for a month, living with the Scott-Russell family. They are lovely to me. I go to Glendowie  College which is a nice school with very good people. I am in love with New Zealand because it is a beautiful and has many  green natural place as well as being technically advanced. I think that the people are REALLY lovely and are very kind to me. I do not have the words to describe in this short time my love for New Zealand.
 
In this year I want learn English, do projects with Rotary and study. I will be completing both school curriculums (Glendowie and my school in  Argentina). I hope to learn a lot of new things about this beautiful country.
 
                                                                                                                        Kind Regards - Gonzalo N. Pratto.