Young Travelers Visiting New Bedford, Fall River From Porto, Portugal

Basketball celeb Marques Houtman is asking for your help in welcoming 30 high school students from Porto, Portugal to New Bedford.

"Just come by and share the love. That's it! I want these kids to remember going to New Bedford, Massachusetts, and saying the people were so friendly and welcoming there. Just show up and spread the love to the student travelers," said the two-time basketball Hall of Fame inductee at UMass Dartmouth.

The meet and greet will be Thursday, March 31, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Fort Taber Community Center.

When Houtman played for FC Porto in Portugal, he became friends with his assistant coach, who is leading the group that is comprised of students ages 15-17. The students will also visit Durfee High School, and they will shadow their counterparts.

"Students from both schools will be working together to create their own internet safety manual," Houtman said. "On Thursday, they'll visit our famous Whaling Museum, the Visitor's Center, and finally, we'll have a reception for them at the Fort Taber Community Center."

Get our free mobile app

Houtman said that hopefully next year, his brother Isaiah will be working with him to get students to visit New Bedford High School.

When asked what the students get out of these international education trips, Houtman replied, "Real world experience for students is one of the most successful learning tools."

The student ambassadors will also visit historic Boston and conclude their trip in New York City.

The reception is free, just like our warm New Bedford hospitality.