On the way to my workplace, I had time to dream and reflect on what awaited me next. Fortunately, I had already met three Russian students who, just like me, were headed to a cozy, quiet town on the Atlantic coast in Virginia – Virginia Beach.
I will say right away that before leaving, I heard many not-so-pleasant reviews saying it was a very boring place. Let me debunk that myth! It can only be boring where there is no desire to seek adventure and make fun, interesting acquaintances! Yes, Virginia Beach is not Miami with all its gloss, expensive bars and restaurants, beautiful beaches, and pretentious energy. It is a quiet and cozy town that has its own atmosphere and its own "gloss," as well as, in my opinion, a sufficient number of entertainment options for every taste. And yet, the main thing is not the presence of bars or nightclubs in the city, but your environment!
The greatest happiness I experienced while in America comes down to spending time with the people who surrounded me. Dozens of students from different countries who arrived through the Work and Travel USA program, Americans, as well as Russian-speaking guys who have been living in America for a long time, friends of friends, acquaintances of friends of friends, etc. – it's like you end up in a reality show where everyone knows each other, where everything reigns: from love and friendship, joy and fun to tears and partings. Therefore, first and foremost, a trip to the USA through this program is a good "school of life"!
Of course, one should not forget that the Work and Travel USA program is, first and foremost, an international cultural exchange program! In addition to interacting with Americans, I met amazing people from countries such as Ukraine, Moldova, Turkey, Kosovo, Romania, Montenegro, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, the Czech Republic, and Belarus. I became convinced that, no matter how banal it may sound, it really does not matter that we spoke different languages. Despite cultural characteristics, the mentality of each country, religion, and so on, we all felt like a single whole. Young, open to everything new, friendly, we shared stories about the traditions of our countries with each other, learned to speak and understand certain phrases in another language. It is pleasant for me to realize that I became part of the cultural exchange process, that I not only learned a lot about other nationalities but also contributed to others' knowledge of Mother Russia.
