Hi friends! You've probably already read hundreds of reviews and watched dozens of videos about the Work and Travel USA program. I tried not just to talk about my trip, but also to share useful survival tips. I hope this information can really help someone.

Ready for a long read?

I can't say that America was the dream of my life. Rather, it seemed so distant and expensive that I didn't even dream about it – maybe someday, in the next life, I'll go...

But fate decided otherwise. One October morning, my classmate and boyfriend Misha came to class and asked, “Shall we go to the States?”. It was such an absurd suggestion that I just replied – “Well, let's go,” not even suspecting that everything was more than serious.

That's how our six months of preparation for the trip began. Everyone has their own stage, unlike the stories of other guys. First, there were quarrels with my parents, who sincerely believed the TV and the news about “our main enemy” in the face of the USA. Then there were two months of job hunting: we firmly decided to find it ourselves, so day and night we sent emails with resumes to the other side of the world. It seemed hopeless... Out of two thousand emails, about seven replied to us, and only one affirmatively. Finally, before the May holidays, we finally received our coveted J-1 Visa – and it was a real victory.

Reading other students' stories is incredibly interesting. Especially with a visa in hand.

Tickets were bought in advance, back in November (yes, non-refundable, but nothing ventured, nothing gained). In addition, for the last six months, we studied with all our might – at HSE there is no early session, but there is an accumulated grade that can compensate for the exam one. So, the last week before the flight, we calmly and thoroughly packed our things: only the most necessary clothes, more household items, souvenirs for future friends, medicines for all diseases in the world. Looking ahead, I can say that this was a very correct approach. You will most likely not have time to dress up, and it is more pleasant to buy clothes there if you really need them. You can't just buy medicines in the USA. Personal hygiene items were also not superfluous: for example, one pack of shampoo from home was enough for me for the whole summer. Moreover, all “disposable” things free up space in the suitcase on the way back, which is very pleasing. We even took expensive bicycle locks with us, knowing that bicycles in our city are often stolen – and we never regretted it.

So, on June 14, our Moscow – New York plane took off from Sheremetyevo towards adventures...

Only nine hours of flight separate Moscow from New York.

Iceland floats below.