America.... A word that holds so many warm memories, catching you from head to toe like a tsunami in moments of nostalgia. I'm sure that for everyone the trip on Work and Travel became a turning point in their life. We became more responsible, more hardworking, more tolerant, more mature, less squeamish, and most importantly, we learned to value time, and not waste it.

Tiring flights to NY with a seven-hour layover in Helsinki, two days without sleep were definitely worth it to finally end up in the capital of the world! NY, I love you – that’s what I wanted to shout at that moment. Those huge skyscrapers majestically stretching into the sky, that yellow taxi honking from everywhere, those inexhaustible crowds of tourists curiously inspecting the sights, those blinding lights of the sleepless Times Square. That was how NY appeared to me.

At one point I felt like the heroine of a film about a girl from a small Siberian town who found herself in the center of a crazy metropolis in search of adventures. By the way, she did manage to find those adventures)

After wandering around NY and spending a night in Starbucks, we went to the bus station, from where a bus picked us up to Lake George. It is a small town where Americans come to spend a calm, quiet vacation. Around are picturesque forests, wild nature, and most importantly, Lake George, or as it is otherwise called ”queen of American lakes”, the main charm of the town. But besides natural beauties, the town was not lacking entertainment for every taste and color: here you can find museums, amusement parks, steamboat excursions, parasailing behind a boat, a huge number of restaurants, bars, cafes, and also every Thursday they held live concerts in the local park. At the beginning of the season an unreal “Bike week” took place. During the week the town's streets were filled with the coolest motorcycles, from classic retro style to modern models. The roar of the engine, spreading throughout the town, stirred one to the bone. And at the end of the season we were awaited by the “Car Show”, an event already dedicated to cars. Quite a spectacle! Americans sure know how to rest and have fun.

Speaking of Americans. Their smile isn't that forced)

I noticed that they consider every person good by default, and until you ruin their impression of you, be kind, accept their smile and smile back. That's how it works in America) You actually get used to their mentality quickly, or rather to their boundless politeness and constant “excuse me” and “have a good day”. Americans also don't skimp on compliments. Once at the checkout in a supermarket a sweet girl told me: "I really like your outfit!", which slightly embarrassed me and at the same time was pleasant. Well, I'm not used to compliments from strangers))) "Your English is so good" or "Oh, such a beautiful handwriting" — those are things you could also hear) There aren't that many overweight people there, and in general I consider that the most common myth. Americans play sports, watch their health, maybe not all, but the majority.

All summer I worked as a housekeeper in a small hotel right on the lake shore. Sometimes little ducks, curiously walking along the terrace and peeking into every door, helped to clean the rooms. Besides me, other students also worked there. Someone from Turkey, someone from Albania, someone from Georgia, someone from Kazakhstan. A real cultural exchange)

In our free time we went to the beach, to the movies, or just strolled along the cozy streets of Lake George. But one thing I remember most. The day when we managed to get free tickets and go to the amusement park “Great Escape”. It was something else! We came three hours before closing and decided that we would ride only on attractions with a red label "maximum thrill". A childhood dream came true. How I screamed, and not so much from fear as from the emotions flooding me. The Americans themselves sat with stone faces, and the children rode several times in a row. But one ride was enough for me)

We reached the park on the local red bus, which was the only transport available to us. It looped around all of Lake George and went into neighboring towns. The trip was $1, which was affordable and you didn't have to spend money on the same Uber. But we still had to use Uber's services sometimes. And thanks to that service I noticed that Americans are very curious and like to talk) "Where are u from?" — any interesting conversation starts with that question. Pulling up to the house, you and the driver are best friends and say good night to each other when parting))

In Lake George there operated an organization called “Student’s connection”, which arranged free breakfasts and dinners, as well as organized various trips for students. One of those trips was to Boston. At 6 a.m. we were already standing at the stop in the company of another 100 students and impatiently awaiting the bus that was about to take us to the capital of New England. Three hours on the road and Boston!! Incredibly beautiful, well-kept and smart Boston. Everywhere the smell of coffee and fresh newspapers. We popped into Harvard, walked through the center, strolled around Quincy Market. I will definitely return there again)

New friends, new life experience, new impressions – what participation in the “Work and Travel” program undoubtedly gives. But at the same time everyone finds something of their own in it that changes them from the inside and makes them better.