My employer provided accommodation for students. It was a huge house for 10-15 people with shared rooms where 3-4 of us lived. The rent was $400 a month + utilities (about $50). Our resourceful employers (who lived in the house next door) charged us for everything possible. Late with rent - fine, late with rent by more than a week - huge fine, house not cleaned - fine, party too loud - fine. Although the house itself was pretty beat up - with broken beds and a staircase missing steps. The only good thing was that the rent was relatively low. I know many students paid much more.

Froggy Dog House

What did we do on the island to not die of boredom...

First, it has been a tradition for decades that weekly Monday parties were held in our house, as our bosses left town that night. Tons of fun, alcohol, crazy Americans, and students. The atmosphere was 100% like a typical American movie - beer-pong, police, crowds of people, and loud music! If you've seen the movie "Project X", that's exactly what happened every Monday. The only downside was that the rooms in the house didn't lock - we had to hide our valuables well. And as for sleep, if you work from six in the morning, you can just forget about it. And the morning cleanup is, of course, no small task.

Parties!

Secondly, the nearest and only store in town was a 40-minute walk from our house or a 15-minute bike ride. But since we only had two bikes for 17 people, we either had to wait a long time or walk.

Grocery shopping in food lion

We rarely went to cafes and restaurants, as there was nothing particularly interesting in our town - just burgers and other fried stuff. All seafood (and I lived by the ocean where people are constantly fishing) was frozen. Prices were about $10 for a cheeseburger or $20 for a fish dish. The store isn't a cheap pleasure either. Earning money in the States is great, of course, but you'll have to spend it too.

Oh yes, food!

As for water activities - surfing, kite-surfing, kayaking, and skydiving. Needless to say, this is simply unaffordable for students. The only thing we could afford was the ocean and a free pool! In our house, we found old skimboarding boards - riding the waves, so to speak, on your stomach. You go into the ocean, wait for a wave, lie on your stomach on the board, and slide face-first toward the shore. It's not as easy as it sounds)) I scraped my ribs and legs on the rocky bottom. But once you start getting the hang of it, it's a lot of fun.

That's how we spent all our free time. And caught up on sleep, naturally.

Skimbording

There was a fitness center on the island. Those who bought a three-month membership in May for $99 were lucky. I arrived in June, so I could only go to yoga twice - one class was $15.

morning yoga at the beach

In the neighboring town of Buxton, there is the tallest lighthouse in North America. If you have the desire, definitely go there (40 minutes by bike).

The lighthouse

So, guys, if you are going to a small town, don't worry. Just save money and wait for your travels!