5 tips for those who want to travel to the USA on the Work & Travel program

Photos: YouTube

Exchange program Work and Travel lasts from two to four months. At this time, students live, work and practice English in the United States. What it is worth to prepare in advance, but because of what you should not worry at all, say the participants of the 2017 program of the year.

Get ready for an interview at the embassy

Alina Khairullina, 1 course UrFU, Ekaterinburg. Works in the amusement park Arlington (TX)

Be sure of yourself, show as little excitement as possible - so the consul will not doubt the authenticity of your answers. Smile, look into his eyes, behave as openly and friendly as possible. My interview began with typical questions (where I study, why I am going to America, where I am going to work), and ended with a discussion of the latest series of the British TV series “Sherlock”.

Your main task is to assure the consul that you will definitely return home. There must be something that keeps you at home: studying at a university, good work, or even an upcoming wedding.

It is better not to talk about any friends or relatives in America (although it is not worth deceiving if they ask you, of course).

Photo: vk.com

Plan how to get to the place and where to rent a house.

Sofia Timofeeva, 3 course KFU, Kazan. Barista works in Rehoboth Beach (Delaware)

I booked a trip in advance (I found travel companions and a driver ready to meet and drive us to the right place). As a result, the road to the city cost me 65 dollars instead of 80. It turned out faster and cheaper than the usual student transfer.

But my neighbor, for example, found himself in a difficult situation: he flew to America with confidence that he would easily find transport on the spot and ended up stuck in New York. I was also looking for an apartment in advance: I found an apartment for 100 dollars plus a deposit. There are six people in the room, but we get along fine. It has everything you need: Wi-Fi, shower, kitchen with dishes, washing machine, TV.

Be sure to look for some alternative housing option - you never know what can happen. For example, a girl who was fired from her job without paying a penny recently moved to us.

She was not satisfied with the living conditions provided by the former employer (a bed without the Internet and a washing machine — for 150 dollars a week). The girl complained to the sponsor, and she was literally put on the street. If it were not for the happy acquaintance in the store, it is unknown where she would be now.

Do not be afraid to speak English

Ekaterina Svirskaya, 2 course MITRO, Moscow. Works as a housekeeping (cleaner) in Gunnison (Colorado)

Before the trip, I was worried about my English. I always had problems with colloquial speech: what they say, I understood, but I could not answer. When I arrived in America, the first thing I thought was: “What did I forget here at all?”. I could not even ask the way.

One day an American friend said: “Do not think so much about what and how to say - just talk. The main thing is that we understand each other. ”

And I relaxed. I began to answer questions and ask myself how to get somewhere or buy something. Americans themselves make mistakes in sentences. In general, just say it. The language barrier is actually easy to cross. The main thing is not to be afraid.

Be sure to read reviews about the place of work

Regina Kamalova, 3 course KFU, Kazan. Works as an assistant waiter in Hoffman Estates (Illinois)

When we arrived in the United States, it turned out that we would work as assistants in the kitchen and hostess, and not at all as waiters, as we were told. You have to work around the clock, and surrounded by Hindus and Russian speakers, there is almost no cultural exchange.

And do not be afraid to require employers to comply with the rules of the program. If the contract spells two days off, then it should be so.

Accommodation is provided - it means at the price that was agreed. I can not agree - you need to write and call the sponsor. After all, while you are participants in the program, you have rights that must be respected.

Photos: YouTube

Live with those who do not speak Russian (to improve English)

Maxim Mordinov, 3 course MTU, Moscow. Works as a lifeguard in Laurel, Maryland

When you live with other foreign students who do not know Russian, you have to communicate in English 24 / 7, and not only at work with colleagues. I now live with Russian speakers and with students from Serbia and Azerbaijan who do not speak Russian, so we communicate with each other in English.

Even with the Russians try to communicate in English. Language learning is the main advantage of the program.

Read also on ForumDaily:

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