Friendliness and Natural Beauty in North Carolina

by Daria Romanovskaia, CIEE Work & Travel USA participant

This photo was taken on the top of Crowders Mountain, which is situated in Crowders Mountain State Park near Charlotte, North Carolina, where I am working as a lifeguard. It was one of my days off, which I spent with my coworker, a friend from Russia whom I met during my Work & Travel experience this summer. We went with an American family we got acquainted with at work. The family consists of a mother and her two sons, they are really lovely friendly and funny, we became close friends and I feel really cool about making friends with them.

The best part awaited us at the top of the cliff...you go down the mountain a different person.

We spent half of the day at the State Park and it was a beautiful time, because we had luck with the weather. It wasn't as hot as it usually is, so it was perfect timing for hiking. And by the way hiking was an awesome workout! It took about an hour going up the cliff and the road itself was great because we were getting to know about the nature and wild life of USA. The best part awaited us at the top of the cliff. The moment you reach a rocky pass up you overlook a breathtaking view of the green lake of a forest opens to your eyes. You feel young, independent and free. It's really hard to describe what is going on inside. I think that you'll see my point here. It's the kind of feeling when a mysterious change to all your thoughts and decisions happens inside and you go down the mountain a different person.

As for my job in North Carolina I do like it. I'm really happy that I chose this state and this job. Initially when you don't know what to expect from an upcoming program it's really scary. From my point of view it's hit or miss: either you're having the time of your life or you don't enjoy every single day, when you feel out of place. I am so excited that I have the first outcome and I enjoy every minute spend in America.


I think that the best part about my working experience is having lots of communication with native speakers and getting to know the culture from inside. When you're surrounded by the culture you dive into it and it's awesome, I can tell, because you find out such peculiarities you have no chance of perceiving sitting at home. I think the thing that surprised me most about American culture is how open-minded and talkative Americans are. I mean on my first day it was so weird when a complete stranger came up to me in a shop and starts telling me about his life. I really like it because it makes you feel warm from inside and you get a feeling like you're at home, I love it.

When you're surrounded by the culture you dive into it and it's awesome, because you find out such peculiarities you have no chance of perceiving sitting at home.

I'd like to tell that I proved to myself that I'm much more strong and steadfast than I thought me to be. I made lots of new friends and I am having a colossal experience. Now I feel like I don't have any boundaries, I have a life to live and I should make my life experience great and unforgettable so that when I'm old and grey and surrounded by my grandchildren I can retell them the story of my life, impress them and prompt to live their life with understanding that they have unlimited opportunities to grow and develop.


Working in the USA is such a great experience, it's one that worth a lifetime. You are alone in different country with another mentality. Nobody speaks your native language and I want to say that it's worthwhile. You're getting to know yourself, test your endurance and toughness and it's really rewarding because now I want to develop even more, to find a place in life for myself. Having an American experience gives you focus, sets a standard so you know in what direction to work. I'm really thankful for my parents that they give me such an opportunity because I think it pretty much defines upon my future life. I'll do my best to achieve everything I have on my mind.