Last month, Madison and Christina traveled to Munising and Wetmore, MI to visit our BridgeUSA Work and Travel participants and Host Employers enjoying cultural exchange in Michigan.
Visiting our Michigan Host Employers
After visiting our first Host Employer of the trip, Madison and Christina got dinner at a local restaurant, where some participants are getting second jobs.
The next day, Madison and Christina started the day at a coffee shop, which has been another popular second job spot. They then visited another Host Employer, as well as four of the participants who were working that day. They didn’t get to chat with the participants for very long because they were working, but Madison and Christina were able to take some pictures with them.
Christina and Madison visit Host Employer in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Next, they stopped at another Host Employer, who showed them around and helped them meet the four participants who were working that morning. They were enjoying their summers, and really appreciated the Spirit sunglasses we gave them.
Afterward, Madison and Christina visited housing in the area, and met with another Host Employer. He was very impressed with the participants this year, and when he took us around to meet the two participants, he had very nice things to say about each one and it was clear that he was close with them. The participants had great things to say about the work and their coworkers.
He then took us to their other property, which is down the street. He introduced us to the three participants working there and had great things to say about them as well. Madison and Christina also learned that the Host Employer was planning to take the participants kayaking that weekend, and the participants were very excited!
Spirit participant from Turkey with his supervisor
After seeing the Host Employers and housing locations, Madison and Christina got lunch at a restaurant, where one of our participants took their order! She was working at her second job and told them that she really enjoys it and feels that her English has improved a lot by interacting with customers.
Enjoying cultural exchange in Michigan
In the evening, Madison and Christina hosted a pizza party event in the local park in Munising. Eight participants came to this event, and it was fun to talk with them and learn more about how their summers are going. Madison and Christina even taught them how to play bags! They learned that the participants all like their Host Employers and find them very nice and helpful.
Even though they wished that there was better nightlife in the area, the participants seemed to be making the best of their cultural exchange in Michigan, including trips to Marquette to see some local sights.
Spirit participants from Mongolia enjoying pizza in the park
Madison and Christina even learned that one participant rode his bike with some of his friends to Sand Point Beach, one of the local attractions off Lake Superior!
Overall, Madison and Christina felt that this was a successful trip. They visited all five of our Host Employers in the area, as well as 22 out of 26 of our participants throughout the visit. They felt that our Host Employers really care about our participants, and it was great to see such a positive relationship between them.
Madison and Christina had a great time meeting these participants and being a part of their summer experience!
Madison with Work and Travel participants from Turkey and Colombia
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