When shaking hands with a Spanish speaking person it is customary to use the proper greeting according to the time of day. “Buenos dias” in the morning, “buenas tardes” in the afternoon and “buenas noches” in the evening.

This is a bit of etiquette the Spanish language students in Jennifer Gochanour’s South Whidbey High School classes might find useful during an upcoming exchange with some South American visitors.

Thirteen students aged 12 to 16 and three of their teachers from Bogota, Colombia will be hosted by local students and teachers for a week on Whidbey.

The community is invited to experience the music, dance and culture of Colombia, South America from 7 to 8 p.m. tonight at South Whidbey High School Auditorium. The free program will be presented by the visiting students of the Gimnasio Fontana school in Bogota and sponsored by the South Whidbey High School Spanish program.

“We have hosted six times in the past seven years,” said Gochanour, “and this is the third time that a group from this particular school, Gimnasio Fontana, will be hosted here on South Whidbey.”

Gochanour said the visitors will stay with South Whidbey Spanish students and teachers.

The philosophy of the exchange is to give Colombian students the experience of a typical life in an American household. It also strives to have the visiting students share their own culture with communities around the United States through dance and music.

“Various bilingual schools in Bogota send student groups yearly, and each group prepares a show to share with their host schools and communities, as well as smaller classroom presentations to be shared with individual classes,” Gochanour said.

The Colombians will participate at the high school during classes on Friday, as well as giving a performance of their show for students this afternoon during a school assembly. During the evenings and weekend time of their visit, they will have a chance to spend time with their host families while they get to know the island, Seattle and other Puget Sound areas through various excursions.

When asked what is the most anticipated part of the visit for her students, Gochanour said that her students are most excited about making new Colombian friends, learning about their country and sharing a slice of their lives on South Whidbey with their new friends.

“And practicing their Spanish. But maybe that’s my Spanish teacher wishful thinking,” she added.