Summer Work and Travel Visa

Participants Experiences

Vojtech R. is a student at Vysoká škola báňská – Technická univerzita (Technical University of Ostrava) and participated in the Summer Work & Travel program in 2005, 2006, and 2007.

Vojtech R. at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

1. What made you choose to participate in the Summer Work & Travel program in the U.S.?
I wanted to see a different culture, nature, and improve my English. The money was important, too.

2. What type of job did you do, and where?
I worked as kitchen staff at a summer camp in Sierra National Forest, CA.

3. What were your daily interactions with Americans and other international students?
I worked with people from the US and from Eastern Europe.  During the summer we got to know each other well and became good friends. We are still in touch and look forward to the summer.

Vojtech worked as kitchen staff

4. What was your favorite place to visit?
Zion National Park and Mesa Verde NP. I had never heard about them before visiting, but they impressed me very much! And my favorite city? San Francisco, definitely.

5. What did you enjoy the most about life in the United States?
The freedom of dressing in San Francisco. I could have worn almost everything and nobody would care. I also like the way people communicate with each other. They are not as shy as we are. Sometimes it is annoying, but mostly it is pleasant.

6. What was the biggest challenge that you confronted in the US?
Climbing down and up the Grand Canyon in one day

7. What would you recommend for other Czech students who might be interested in this program?
Take the opportunity and travel. If you can, spend all the money you earn on travel, because nature in the US is amazing. Don’t be afraid of speaking English, because nobody will care about your accent.