International travel is a rewarding experience, but it also comes with its challenges—especially during a global pandemic. Summer Work Travel participants really had to go the extra mile to make it to the U.S. this year, and there is no better example of this than our resilient participants from Turkey.
After the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Turkey made the announcement not to open for J-1 visa interviews this summer, participants and their sending agencies had to think creatively to make their cultural exchange dreams come true.
Spirit Turkish participants celebrate their U.S. visa outside Mexico City Embassy.
To get their visas, Turkish participants traveled to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, who made a very special effort to accommodate them.
Although our Turkish participants had to put in a little more work to get their visas, their effort was well worth it. Here’s what Mustafa and Zeynep, two participants who traveled to Mexico City, have to say about their Summer Work Travel experiences.
Mustafa – Rapid City, South Dakota
What is your favorite part about living in the U.S.?
My favorite part about living in U.S. is everybody is so respectful and understanding. You can hang out and have fun everyone. Also, most of the people are so helpful. My favorite part is about American people.
Why do you think doing the Summer Work Travel program is so important?
Because with Work and Travel we can get some chances to learn about American culture and besides that other countries’ cultures. And if you want to learn to speak a foreign language you must go that country whose native language is that language. SWT helps a lot to improve our English skills.
Do you think you’ll keep in touch with your Summer Work Travel friends once you’re back in Turkey?
Last summer I have participated SWT. As I did in my first time in U.S. I will keep in touch with my friends. I have met with some American friends’ family, and they are awesome they are like my parents I love them and yes, I want to say again I will keep in touch with my friends.
Zeynep – Sisters, Oregon
What is your favorite part about living in the U.S.?
I live in the capital of my country. Usually, we do not get to be in nature or bike everywhere all the time or see the sky full of stars, but it is different here in Sisters, Oregon. I think my favorite part is being able to embrace and experience all the beauty at once.
Tell us about a memory with your new friends that stands out.
There was a festival at the end of July in Redmond. I, my best friend and one of our housemates went there together. It had been a long time that we hadn’t participated in a festival since COVID. It was so colorful and lively, we took a lot of rides, tried new food and beverages, saw the city from a high point and at the end of the day we went to a concert. I felt so alive and enjoyed that day after a very long time.
Do you think you’ll keep in touch with your Summer Work Travel friends once you’re back in Turkey?
I think that I am going to keep in touch with them. I feel sad that I am leaving because time passed so fast. It is like a month from now for me to go back to my country and we were talking with my new friends about that, and they were all like “we should definitely talk,” “send us pictures,” “take us with you,” “come back next year,” and “can we come to Turkey to visit you.” I believe I have a strong bond with them now so yes, I will keep in touch with them.
Thank you, Mustafa and Zeynep! And thank you to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City who helped to make these experiences possible!
Does spending a summer in the U.S. sound like something you want to experience yourself? If you are interested in coming to the U.S. for Summer Work Travel 2022, fill out an online form or email us at support@spiritexchange.com.
Interested in becoming a Host Employer for Summer Work Travel participants like Mustafa and Zeynep? We’d love to hear from you! Learn more and apply at https://www.spiritexchange.com/host/host-work-travel.
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