Who would imagine that I would be traveling across the globe and be an ‘inhabitant’ of a foreign land for almost 16 weeks, at the country’s number one rollercoaster amusement park? I wanted to see the ‘other side of the world’ and this was my only chance. Good feedbacks from my friends who joined the program previously convinced me that …

  If I need to conclude my whole work and travel USA experience in one word, it would be ‘fantastic’! This trip has changed my personality a lot, also deepens my knowledge and broadens my view and experience. As I was born in poor family, travelling outside Malaysia was like a fantasy for me as a student. Finally, my dream …

No words can really describe my entire experience on the “Work and Travel USA” Program. I was introduced by friends to participate in this “Work and Travel USA” program, then I thought to myself instead of me slacking for three and a half months during summer doing nothing. I might as well grab the opportunity to experience the American culture …

What can a 19 years old nerd who rarely goes out of her house does other than studying all the time? The answer lies in Anchorage, Alaska. The place where I had my sweet escapade. I was working as a Starbuck Barista at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. My initial impression on this job was nothing than it being …

I want to find some words to summarize Work and Travel but I find the magic of this program is just beyond my description. At first I thought it would be fun to see US and earn some pocket money. Later I found it was more than an experience of a lifetime, but an opportunity for us to learn and …

Work and Travel – The Beginning I heard about the Work & travel (WAT) Program from friends who went for it last year and they shared with me their numerous adventures and experiences they enjoyed and how WAT truly was an eye-opening opportunity for anyone who’s never lived abroad before. I was convinced! It sounded like an interesting way of …

Life is simply a piece of white paper. There’s someone painting sunshine or velvet blue sky on it; there’s also someone painting thick dark cloud or thundering storm. However, what I’ve just painted is a rainbow! When I first stood at the front gate of Six Flags—the Great Escape, I felt a sense of de ja vu. I was envisioning …

“Awesome!” Nope, I am not Americanized, but this is the exact word that I have to use to describe my work and travel experience. I have always been curious about how different work environment, culture, and people can be in a foreign country. I have always been very independent, but being away from one’s parents is a totally different experience …

The Yellowstone Experience It was an innocent afternoon in the NUS Science cafeteria when I came upon a notice with the heading “Work and Travel USA”. I knew at that very moment this was a program I wanted to take part in, because chances to experience USA over a summer do not come by daily. This was to be very …

Summer of Adventure Before I left Singapore for America, my friend quoted Mr Bennett in the BBC film version of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and teasingly commented that I was ‘bent on pleasure again’. Last year, I had traveled a large part of Europe on a student exchange program and I had been charmed by its history, architecture and people. Even …

Last July prior to entering SMU, I attended a compulsory Career Talk organized by the Office of Career Services. The presenter was talking about Work & Travel USA and she said, “If you want to, you can go and work at Disney.” Having always wanted to work in a theme park, being a fan of theme parks and not having …

While I scroll through the countless pictures freshly taken from the USA, luggage still unpacked and sitting in the dining room next to my mother who’s cooking up a well-missed home cooked meal, curtains descend upon one of the best chapters of my life. It’s been three months after I left for the Work and Travel programme, I feel a …

There’s this film I watched during Literature lessons when I was 15; Dead Poets Society. It is about an unconventional teacher who taught a class of boys about Carpe Diem. Loosely translated, it means to seize the day and live life in the present. It struck me hard, the message behind the film, but I never did seize my day. …

Many people come across advertisements about Work and Travel each year, be it through brochures, emails or whatever other sources and would go “hey, that’s cool!” But most would stop right there. So what is it that exactly spurred me into taking that extra step? The work experience you get from an internship would definitely help build up your resume, …

It all began with one email, a couple of phone calls, shrieks of excitement and a flurry of activity. The second semester of the year had just begun. It was difficult adjusting back to the monotonous routine of studying after a long trip to China for a community service project during the University break in December. The three of us- …

I can still remember vividly the night before my departure for what was to become the best trip of my life. It was undeniably terrifying to come to terms to the fact that I will be staying in a foreign country, far away from home for the next 3 months. A mixed of emotions engulfed me when I came to …

I opened my eyes and peered dreamily out of the window. “Where are the chirping of birds, the rustling of leaves and the gentle swooshing of swift-flowing waters?” I shook my head as I dragged myself to the bathroom. Morning after morning, the same cycle repeated for a week or so after I returned from the greatest adventure of my …

Personally, there weren’t many terrfiying moments, hesitations or worries about coping in the States. Yes, parents were concerned about discrimination issues, working hours and whether I would be able to sustain myself at a foreign country for 4 months. Here I thought I am no girly girl, I speak decent english and I love burgers – I would do well …

“Time’s up. Pens down!” bellowed the professor. As the scribbling of pens on paper screeched to a halt, the examination hall fell into dead silence. If only they could hear the celebratory fireworks setting off in my mind! This was my last paper for my freshman year but more importantly, this also signified that I was less than 72 hours …

I can still remember the wanderlust that stirred in my soul when I first saw the email by Speedwing regarding the ‘USA Work and Travel Program’. I knew I had to apply for this program; this was my chance to explore the world at an affordable price through a reputable and experienced company. However, this did not make my decision …