Why don't you give it a try?

That's how my big journey began...

As an honors student and someone afraid of change, I decided to do it, no matter what.

Gathering all my documents and courage, I went to the office and registered for Work and Travel. Without knowing it, I changed my life. So what's the catch? Here it is... my story.

Realizing that the visa was already in my passport and the ticket in my hand, there was no turning back. Everything will be fine; everyone who has tried it is alive and well. That's what I told myself before boarding the plane (Oh, how silly). Takeoff, noise, pressure in my ears... everything is new, and I already like it. A layover in Frankfurt and chatting with tourists made me realize my English wasn't as bad as I imagined. Now I'll really start speaking, I thought, and took my seat on the Boeing that was my companion to a new continent. A long flight, and my blood was boiling with curiosity—what's it like there, what's the air like, the landscapes? Stepping off the plane, I already felt it was worth it, no matter what happened next.

I was met, along with a few other guys, and we drove from the airport in Washington through rain that seemed like a "ninth wave" to me. Arriving at the training base, we were dropped off and told to go to the hall. A bit of silence, and then burgers—we were starving after the flight. After putting our things in a shipping container, the instructor took me and my future friend from Turkey to our temporary home. I fell asleep like a baby, and in the morning, I went outside and was just in shock... Greenery, birds, morning—it all seemed like a fairy tale, and I went back inside. I washed up, went out again, and realized: this is cool. We were trained to swim and perform rescues (I was a lifeguard). Our skills grew in the instructor's eyes under the sun; every day a few new people arrived, and finally, on the 3rd day, I saw something I fell in love with. A girl from Turkey stole my heart, and I started volunteering to be the "victim" during pool rescues because I wanted her to be with me. But the story isn't about love, because in the evening, guys from Jamaica and a new coach arrived. We grilled barbecue with beans and listened to country music—what could be better? Well, it got better: the guys from Jamaica singing Bob Marley while drumming on the table—it's like a tradition for them. After gaining the necessary experience and passing the exam, I was taken to my new home and shown my job. Every day I rejoiced in new meetings and bike rides across the USA. My summer was spent in an insanely cool atmosphere with Bulgarian and American friends. I managed to visit Washington with my best friend, and later saw the White House and the Capitol with my beloved (yes, that same one). My sister, who works as cabin crew, flew to the American capital and then to New York to give me confidence and make me realize I am important.

Upon arriving in Ukraine, I couldn't stop looking through photos and talking to friends—my English was already top-notch, and I'd even picked up some Spanish and Bulgarian.

My life changed, and I changed. Work and Travel opened my eyes. #WorkAndTravel #USA #Adventure