NORWICH – Other than making minor adjustments to snow, school and the standard system of measurement, two exchange students sponsored through the Norwich Rotary say all is well so far during their immersion into American culture.

Leo Falabella and Christoph Knappe, both 17, are currently living with two Norwich families and are students at the high school.

Falabella, a native of Belo Horizonte, in southeast Brazil, said seeing snow for the first time was quite an experience, but none-the-less – like most upstaters – he admitted it soon got old.

“The challenge in the beginning was having to get used to the cold,” Falabella said. “I had never seen snow before, so it was nice. But after a couple weeks I got bored with the snow.”

In hopes of making a smooth transition, Knappe, from Wangen, Germany (near the City of Stuttgart), said he took time to read-up on using standard measurements and converting temperature readings from Celsius to Fahrenheit in the months before he made the trip to Norwich.

“I was so excited about coming to America that I got books and read all about that stuff,” said Knappe. “Even though it made my mother crazy.”

Both say their stays in Norwich have gone well so far, not to say there haven’t been surprises.

“I was surprised all the people would be so nice,” Knappe said. “I was really surprised that everyone was so open with me and invited me to stuff.”

Both are varsity athletes as well. Falabella, who arrived in January, is currently staying in shape as a distance runner on the track team, but is looking forward to also joining the varsity soccer team in the fall.

“I really enjoy playing soccer regularly,” said Falabella. “That’s something I’m really excited about.”

Knappe, whose been here since August, lettered in soccer and swimming, and is now a member of Chenango Chargers Soccer Club.