Time flew by unnoticed. Exams were over, and the excitement I felt in Europe started to become the new normal. It was time for the embassy interview. I noticed the fear the students were feeling, especially the first-timers. The atmosphere was tense; many were worried that their plans for this summer, or even their dreams, might be shattered. I really liked how everyone supported each other; those who came out with an approved J-1 Visa gave advice and helped out. In short, they tried to pass their confidence on to us. I started to soak up this atmosphere little by little and became tense myself. The repeaters told us how they had gone through the interview last year and what questions they were usually asked. The first-timers talked about which consul was the scariest and strictest, and which window they hoped to be assigned to. And then the moment came when I saw that a girl had been denied a visa. I didn't know her, but I remembered her eyes filled with tears and her desperate expression. A chill ran down my spine, and I felt uneasy, as if I had been the one denied. I understood that, like many others, this girl likely had a dream of seeing America, or simply wanted to relax and earn some money—combining business with pleasure. However, I also understood that this meant other perspectives would open up for her; she just needed to get through this and move on. I was so lost in thought that I didn't hear my name being called. The thing was, I was sure we were going in order, and that way I could track and be ready for the interview. Students usually went to the interview in the same order they submitted their documents. But it turned out not to be the case; I looked at those in front of me, there were still quite a few, and I stood up abruptly. As a result, I went to the wrong window and only after a minute of hesitation realized where I needed to go. I found it very funny that it all started like that. I had no illusions about myself or my abilities and was ready for any turn of events. To my surprise, the consul turned out to be very friendly, speaking very clearly and openly. The questions were the ones we had been prepared for in advance, so it was very easy. It turned out he was born in the state of Delaware, where I intended to go. He told me a lot about it and his memories. I didn't stand there for long, and at first, I didn't realize he had approved my J-1 Visa. Only when the consul said he wished me luck and advised me to go see the dolphins did I realize that was it. We had prepared for a trial, but the interview went like a normal conversation without any tricky questions. If you are confident in your English and have the desire to go, don't worry; everything will be as it should be. My friend also passed, and we prepared for our adventures together. Back then, we had no idea what awaited us and how memorable this summer would be. #WorkAndTravelUSA #J1Visa #SummerWorkTravel