I got lucky with my state: South Carolina. There are many resort towns that fill up with tourists in the summer, which means there is work. Since there is work, they need workers to do simple tasks for money. For example, students from Russia, CIS countries, and Europe.

Like many students going on Work and Travel USA in the summer, I paid for housing in a house. Considering the house had 3 floors, a pool, a huge kitchen, free Wi-Fi, and was a minute's walk from the ocean (you could see it from the window or balcony!), I paid pennies. Plus, importantly, the landlady allowed us to use the contents of the fridge and cupboards (spices, sauces, ketchup, dishes, appliances, and ice cream) for free.

Tip: Look for stores called "Family Dollar", "Dollar Tree", and "Dollar General". In these stores, many necessary things cost a dollar: soap, a set of toothbrushes, a set of pens, a notebook, sweets, water, gloves, slippers, headphones, etc.

You need to work. Preferably every day. Preferably at two jobs.

I paid off my program, took that trip along the East Coast, bought a lot of clothes, and brought back a decent amount of money. This was due to overtime at work and helping around the garden and house, for which residents can sometimes pay ;)

In general, the day looked something like this: morning stretching, ocean, wash up, eat, and off to work. There until about five, then back home, eat, and (ideally) to a second job (in my case, helping a man with trees and firewood on his property in exchange for stories, food, and other joys). Closer to night, they gave overtime at work because they needed help with locks, linens, and the contents of powders and chemicals in the laundry (employers don't like giving overtime because it's paid 50% more than usual; I was lucky, and I had it). There was little time for basketball or the ocean, and sometimes for sleep, but it was worth it.

Tip: On the very first day, buy yourself an adapter for devices (plug adapter), but don't pay more than $5 for it. Outlets in the States are a different format; European equipment cannot be plugged into an American outlet.

Oh, yes, almost forgot. If you think the most important thing during the holidays is not a bicycle, you are deeply and strongly mistaken. The most important thing for you now is a bicycle. Period (and again, I got lucky! I was gifted a bicycle! Even if it was the cheapest one, it worked). It saves you time so you can sleep more, get money faster, or carry bags from Walmart home safe and sound.

Tip: Buy a chain with a lock for your bicycle. It costs 7-8 dollars, but your iron horse will always be safe.