Testimonies
BRECKENRIDGE,CO
Diego tells us about his experience from Breckenridge, Colorado as a participant in the Work & Travel US program.
Name: Diego
Age: 19
Occupation: Sales help
Destination: Breckenridge, Colorado
Company where you work: Vail Resorts
-We would like to know how you are and how you feel, as a participant of the Work & Travel USA program:
I feel good. At first it was difficult because I was staying in a hostel where I was not comfortable and shared different schedules with those who lived with me in the room. Likewise, the people who were in the hostel were cool. This happened to me because I couldn't get housing for the dates I was arriving in the United States, I only got a few days later when I started working and that's when everything changed.
I moved to a house that I share with Argentines and Chileans where I feel more comfortable because they are all boys my age and who are doing the work & travel program like me. In addition, I adapted well to work, more than anything what cost me was what I mentioned earlier about the hostel.
-What is the experience for?
It is an experience that helps me grow and become a better person. Above all, having been in a hostel for a week where I wasn't comfortable and didn't know anyone made me stronger.
As for work, it is my first work experience where I knew how to learn and adapt quickly to the position. It is something that I like and it is not difficult for me to exercise.
-Is the work as you imagined it?
It was not what I expected because I thought that the job consisted more than anything in selling ski equipment of which I do not have much knowledge but it is not like that. It is about giving the snow boots to the clients, reaching them and adjusting the skis and charging them the rent in relation to the number of hours they are going to use them.
In any case, it is a job that I like very much and it is not difficult for me to do. If I have the opportunity to return, I would choose it again.
-How is the work environment? How is the relationship with other co-workers?
The work environment is very warm. I learned by watching a colleague work. I adapt quickly and get along well with the other workers. Luckily, I did not have any situation in which a client was not satisfied and I maintain a good relationship with my superiors.
At the end of working hours, sometimes we go to eat churros or have ice cream with my colleagues.
-What are the best things about your job? And the worst?
The best things about my position are being lucky enough to work inside because it's so cold outside and the other thing is chatting with customers.
As for the worst things, I would say none, but what could have been something bad for me was the Christmas season when we worked every day at 10 am and we didn't have much rest.
-What do you do on your days off?
In my free time, I ski and go to Denver to my sister's house. What I like about that city is that there are always new programs to do. I went to see an NBA game, a hockey game, toured a football stadium, and visited some parks and museums.
-How is the housing?
We are 10 Argentine and Chilean boys and girls in a house for 6. I share a room with 2 boys where there is a double bed and a mattress and we take turns, sometimes a bed and sometimes a mattress. With the bathroom I have no problem, there are 3 in total. The house is located in a town called Frisco, 45 minutes by public transport from Breckenridge, where I work. People and neighbors are cool and very respectful about traffic signs on the streets. I am comfortable at home, although a bit cramped, so I recommend employers' housing. I get along well with the boys I share the house with.
-Did you get to know other places and other people?
Some places I know are Breckenridge, Frisco and Denver.
The people I met are my co-workers, w&t guys from other jobs around the area, and those who live with me.
-What surprised you the most?
The passion of Americans for skiing and the number of South Americans working.
-Do you feel that you are able to improve your level of English?
I had a lot of study and practice on me so it was never difficult for me to adapt to the language but I feel that now I have it much more fluently.
-Any anecdote that you remember so far?
Some anecdotes that I remember are that I spent about 2 months walking in the snow with basketball shoes because I couldn't find snow boots that fit me comfortably.
Another anecdote was that instead of giving him a right boot for the foot, I gave him the left one and the person could not walk until we realized that they were upside down.
-What would you recommend to someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?
My advice is to encourage yourself because it is an unforgettable experience where you do not have to be afraid of the language because you will always be accompanied and supported by your colleagues and by the people you meet right there.
It is a trip that I recommend doing with friends and not just because it was difficult for me to adapt or at times I felt alone. You get used to it anyway and end up meeting people. I recommend it and would do it again next year.
Age: 19
Occupation: Sales help
Destination: Breckenridge, Colorado
Company where you work: Vail Resorts
-We would like to know how you are and how you feel, as a participant of the Work & Travel USA program:
I feel good. At first it was difficult because I was staying in a hostel where I was not comfortable and shared different schedules with those who lived with me in the room. Likewise, the people who were in the hostel were cool. This happened to me because I couldn't get housing for the dates I was arriving in the United States, I only got a few days later when I started working and that's when everything changed.
I moved to a house that I share with Argentines and Chileans where I feel more comfortable because they are all boys my age and who are doing the work & travel program like me. In addition, I adapted well to work, more than anything what cost me was what I mentioned earlier about the hostel.
-What is the experience for?
It is an experience that helps me grow and become a better person. Above all, having been in a hostel for a week where I wasn't comfortable and didn't know anyone made me stronger.
As for work, it is my first work experience where I knew how to learn and adapt quickly to the position. It is something that I like and it is not difficult for me to exercise.
-Is the work as you imagined it?
It was not what I expected because I thought that the job consisted more than anything in selling ski equipment of which I do not have much knowledge but it is not like that. It is about giving the snow boots to the clients, reaching them and adjusting the skis and charging them the rent in relation to the number of hours they are going to use them.
In any case, it is a job that I like very much and it is not difficult for me to do. If I have the opportunity to return, I would choose it again.
-How is the work environment? How is the relationship with other co-workers?
The work environment is very warm. I learned by watching a colleague work. I adapt quickly and get along well with the other workers. Luckily, I did not have any situation in which a client was not satisfied and I maintain a good relationship with my superiors.
At the end of working hours, sometimes we go to eat churros or have ice cream with my colleagues.
-What are the best things about your job? And the worst?
The best things about my position are being lucky enough to work inside because it's so cold outside and the other thing is chatting with customers.
As for the worst things, I would say none, but what could have been something bad for me was the Christmas season when we worked every day at 10 am and we didn't have much rest.
-What do you do on your days off?
In my free time, I ski and go to Denver to my sister's house. What I like about that city is that there are always new programs to do. I went to see an NBA game, a hockey game, toured a football stadium, and visited some parks and museums.
-How is the housing?
We are 10 Argentine and Chilean boys and girls in a house for 6. I share a room with 2 boys where there is a double bed and a mattress and we take turns, sometimes a bed and sometimes a mattress. With the bathroom I have no problem, there are 3 in total. The house is located in a town called Frisco, 45 minutes by public transport from Breckenridge, where I work. People and neighbors are cool and very respectful about traffic signs on the streets. I am comfortable at home, although a bit cramped, so I recommend employers' housing. I get along well with the boys I share the house with.
-Did you get to know other places and other people?
Some places I know are Breckenridge, Frisco and Denver.
The people I met are my co-workers, w&t guys from other jobs around the area, and those who live with me.
-What surprised you the most?
The passion of Americans for skiing and the number of South Americans working.
-Do you feel that you are able to improve your level of English?
I had a lot of study and practice on me so it was never difficult for me to adapt to the language but I feel that now I have it much more fluently.
-Any anecdote that you remember so far?
Some anecdotes that I remember are that I spent about 2 months walking in the snow with basketball shoes because I couldn't find snow boots that fit me comfortably.
Another anecdote was that instead of giving him a right boot for the foot, I gave him the left one and the person could not walk until we realized that they were upside down.
-What would you recommend to someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?
My advice is to encourage yourself because it is an unforgettable experience where you do not have to be afraid of the language because you will always be accompanied and supported by your colleagues and by the people you meet right there.
It is a trip that I recommend doing with friends and not just because it was difficult for me to adapt or at times I felt alone. You get used to it anyway and end up meeting people. I recommend it and would do it again next year.
