Probably all of you have heard something about the programmes offering summer jobs in the United States. Some of you may have already participated and the rest of you definitely should try.
When you decide to work at an American summer camp you never know what to expect before you get there. One thing is sure though: you will get much more than a summer job at a camp…
24 hours with the kids and camp life make you a different person. A person who never sleeps enough, who run into raccoons in the middle of the night outside the cabin or maybe who finds some squirrels next to her bed eating her food. Perhaps you will be belaying 50 people a day on ropes and get tired during cheering at a camp event or game. But what is more important, you will be a person being appreciated by the kids and while you teach them you can also learn a lot about yourself – kids, connections, people…
My camp was in the beautiful, small state of New Hampshire and I got 9 amazing weeks full of sweet memories about day and night offs and camp events shared with my friends. Some to mention are camp dances, the pleasure of the rest hour, defining the difference between camp food and real American food – because there is! I had a chance to meet and become friends with people who I would never have met any other way. I heard different points of view than mine and learned how to work in a team … and much more.
When I left the camp I was free to travel and there was no way I could miss that! There are many awesome places to see. I have been to Boston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, New York …Where ever I went I was impressed by the openness and acceptance I saw.
When you apply a summer like that, you apply for a summer of a lifetime. I cannot say a thing about why you should not go. But before you go, just make sure your attitude is right… Most of the time even bad situations can become good memories if we make them.
All in all, I have learned and gained things that cannot be taught at schools. I think the best thing in travelling is when you meet yourself and see how far you can push out your own limits and improve your skills. That is such a wonderful thing it is certainly worth investing in.
Anett Zsoldos