About half a year ago, I heard about Work and Travel USA and started learning more and more about what it is and what awaits me if I go on this program. Of course, I mostly heard positive feedback and reviews, but I understood that it wouldn't be as easy as everyone says. After reading all the blogs and stories, I decided to register for the program. I definitely dragged my feet and only got to the agency in April. By that time, there were no jobs left, and they told me I could only go if I found a job myself. So, of course, I started looking and found a few options. I filled out a ton of contracts, spent a lot of money, and finally, I was called to the embassy. I was hardly nervous because I was confident I could answer all the consul's questions. Finally, I got my J-1 Visa and bought my tickets. Studies were practically over, and I couldn't be happier, just sitting on my packed bags.

And so, the long-awaited moment of truth arrives. I board the plane and take off into the sky! DAMN, what a COOL feeling!!! I was thrilled!!! The first flight was 4 hours, and we landed in Abu Dhabi. I left the airport since I had a visa, and my mother, whom I hadn't seen for a year and a half, met me there. The layover lasted 14 hours, but for me, those hours felt like minutes. I was in a new hotel on a new island! Oh, how wonderful it was!

And then, in the morning, I board the plane, and I have a 14-hour flight to New York ahead of me. Yeah, that was TOUGH! Despite the good service and individual TV, I was tired as a dog from this flight, but the desire and the feeling of excitement were above all else, and I couldn't wait to get out into the city.

Well, I'm finally in New York!!! The city of skyscrapers!

End of part one... To be continued!