That same day we were supposed to register at work, but we were successfully ignored when it came to filling out paperwork for Dunkin’ Donuts. The first failed meeting left a bad impression of the Dunkin’ management. Unfortunately, that’s how it was. And things didn't move forward for the entire next week.

Met a friend at Dunkin’.

We didn't have much money, as my boyfriend and I only had about $700 total; that’s why we became regular customers at Dollar Tree and bought $1 pizza at 7-Eleven.

Make sure to bring about $800 per person, so you have enough for all your needs.

About 10 days later, my first shift at Dunkin’ started. After working there for three days, it felt like I had been slaving away for a month or more. And that was only about 32 hours a week, which came out to about $360 ($360 - $120 for housing = $240 = you will never recoup the program costs)

In the first few days, after getting $7-10 in tips, we were screaming and cheering, collecting every coin, every dollar, and thinking Wow!!! At this rate, we’ll get rich and everything will be cool!!!

And then... J-1 Visa students shattered those fantasies with the $300 in tips they earned in a single day.

We thought about what losers we were.

Our expectations and dreams didn't match reality at all.

That’s when a long-lasting depression began...