The city where I lived is called New London in the state of Connecticut. It is a small, cozy port town.

I worked as a housekeeper at the largest hotel. The work turned out to be physically demanding only at the beginning, and for the first four days, the supervisor checked every room I cleaned. After a week, I got used to both the work and the city. I had a long period of acclimatization. I would wake up at night and want to sleep during the day, but it only lasted for a week and a half.

I lived in a neighboring hotel across the street from work. There were four girls in the room: me and my friend from Kazakhstan, a girl from Belarus, and a girl from Mongolia. The girl from Mongolia didn't speak Russian, and that was extra language practice. Because you either speak English, or you aren't understood.

Work life hacks:

Arrive 5-7 minutes early — this time is also counted. Over five working days, you accumulate an extra half hour, which is also paid.

Always be polite and smile. It is very simple and improves how you are treated by both the team and the employer.

Always agree to overtime and come in on your day off if asked. This way, you will establish yourself as a good worker and can receive bonuses (food, money, invitations to parties, etc.).

As soon as I arrived, I immediately noticed the difference in the mentality of people in Kazakhstan and America.

All my neighbors greeted me and asked how I was doing — there was constant small talk. It seems like a small thing, but it's nice!

Food portions are just huge! I love eating delicious food, and for me, this was true happiness.

Everyone smiles at each other! It absolutely doesn't matter if you know them or not. If you make eye contact with someone, they will always smile at you.

People don't care what you look like! I would go out on the street with a towel on my head, in pajamas, and sometimes just in a blanket, and nobody cared at all.