Where I worked: sold Italian Ice at Family Kingdom Amusement Park
Where I lived: Peggy Ann Motel
I flew from New York airport with Spirit Airlines to Myrtle Beach airport. The flight was delayed by 2 hours. I didn't really enjoy flying with this airline, so if possible, use another one.
The city airport is small and quiet. Stepping outside, I realized that I had accounted for the hot climate, but not for the nearly 100% humidity. Subtropics! Frequent rains, hurricanes. So, if you are going to Myrtle Beach, buy a good raincoat and waterproof shoes.
As for public transport, I only saw two buses: one tourist bus - free, and another one running on a circular route (I didn't use either). I got to the motel by Uber - it was convenient and fast. Upon arrival at the motel, I had to wait a while for the owner to get the key and sign the contract. Therefore, agree on your arrival time with your landlord in advance. Tired after many hours of flying, I still found the strength to read the contract carefully and ask questions, but I didn't ask for a copy, which is very important to do! The contract may contain terms and rules of residence, the violation of which may result in you or your neighbors not getting the deposit back or being evicted.
For anyone who hasn't lived in a dormitory, it will be stressful to share a room, a refrigerator, use a public bathroom, and encounter cockroaches, regardless of whether it's a private house or a motel.
I lived in a student dormitory for 3 years and was absolutely calm about everything except cleaning. Try to agree with your neighbors on a schedule for taking out the trash and washing dishes. It's not always possible to reach an agreement with everyone. "Cultural difference" - that's how I explained my neighbors' behavior to myself, but there was also a big plus in this. The mentality of everyone who arrived is different.
And yet, I was very lucky to spend the summer among guys from all over the world: China, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Ukraine, Mexico, Colombia, Lithuania, Jamaica, Jordan, Turkey, Poland, and Russia, of course. If I didn't talk to some of them closely, I learned about their culture from others, heard their language while passing by, and could already distinguish it by ear. The international company helped me chat more often in English about everyday topics, overcome the language barrier, try local dishes, learn new foreign words and traditions, and discover new countries while communicating. That is why, thanks to "Cultural difference", my summer was so memorable.
In the first few days, you will need to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) and a bank card. I heard that the student center helps students with this, but I went everywhere myself. Walking from my hotel was long, about an hour, but I had time, and I didn't want to rent a bicycle because my workplace was very close to "home", and a taxi was expensive. Later, I borrowed a bicycle from friends. (When riding a bicycle in the urban environment of Myrtle Beach, you need to be careful - emergencies and falls are not uncommon. So, follow all safety measures). Since the Social Security Administration and the Bank of America office are nearby, you can do everything in one visit. Everything turned out to be simple; it was enough to ask the employees or visitors. To get a number, you had to get an electronic ticket, fill out a form that I asked the security guard for, and then give it and your passport to the employee at the window. At the bank, you had to queue up, telling the girl at the entrance the purpose of your visit, then one of the specialists invited me to the office and, following his instructions, I opened an account. After that, he went with me to the ATM, used my temporary card, and asked for a $25 deposit to put into the account. At the same time, they do not burn out, but are available, that is, opening a card is free. Why do you need a bank card? To cash your paychecks quickly and conveniently. In the States, wages are paid by paychecks; I heard that they are even accepted in some stores to pay for purchases (but I have never done this and have not seen anyone who did). You will need to install the bank's application (to do this, change the country in your account on your smartphone), sign your check, and cash it online by following the instructions in the application. The main thing is to be vigilant and do not sign checks in advance (immediately after receiving, for example), and even more so do not keep them signed and uncashed, because if you lose the check, you may lose the money. Before going to the administration and the bank, remember or write down your mailing address, as all documents and the card will come to you by mail.
Before receiving the SSN by mail, you may receive another letter notifying you of a more precise receipt date (for example, 2 weeks). A bank card usually arrives much faster. Don't forget to tell your employer your SSN. Do not give the original SSN to anyone, as it is a very important document!
