My journey began the moment I arrived in the state where I worked, Maryland. I lived in a small town called Laurel and worked as a lifeguard at a pool. For me, being a lifeguard wasn't really work, it was like a vacation. I was swimming and sunbathing all the time. Since I was the only lifeguard at the pool, I had to talk to visitors constantly, which really improved my English; the visitors themselves often corrected me and taught me how to pronounce things correctly. I also learned a bit of Spanish. I was so lucky with the visitors; they helped me all the time and even bought me a bicycle so I wouldn't have to walk. I just adore them. I cried so much before leaving; it was hard to say goodbye to them.

The hardest part was passing the lifeguard training. We had to pull a 120 kg person from the bottom of the pool, swim with them, and perform first aid. I still can't believe I did it. Now I am a certified lifeguard.