By: Olivia Engelbrecht, UWC, 1999/2000 Work USA participant

I'd always dreamt of travelling, but thought it was too expensive and thus out of reach for the average broke student (which I am). One of my best friends lives in Detroit, Michigan and during 1999 I decided I would visit her. I didn't know how I was going to raise the money or get there, but wasn't too worried about accommodation, 'cause I figured I'd stay with her. For the most part though, it remained a dream, until one day I was surfing the Net and I came across the SASTS website, and there, suddenly, was the answer to my prayers ? a work exchange programme to the US for fulltime students which would allow me to work there and thus support myself in the US.

I still needed to raise the money to get there, though, 'cause nothing in life is for free. I got two part-time jobs to raise money, and my parents and boyfriend helped me out as well. It was all I spoke about ? going to the US. One of my best friend's, Robyn, was going with me and we were so excited.

And then we were off, soaring across the sky to a new horizon, at the beginning of what was to be an incredible journey. For Robyn, it was her first international flight, her first trip to the US. I'd lived in the US for two years when my father did a Master's degree there. I'd also been to the UK and Europe with my family as a child. But I was really excited about seeing the US through the eyes of an adult.

Arriving in the US was like a dream come true. As we drove in a yellow taxi cab from the airport to the youth hostel, I just could not believe I was actually in the US of A! New York was great! There was so much to see and so little time to explore! Robyn wanted to stay longer in New York, but I was keen to explore the rest of the vast country.

We worked at a resort in Wisconsin in a resort town called Wisconsin Dells. It was a really sleepy town, especially during winter. But the resort at which we worked, Chula Vista, was busy during off-season because it was a business convention centre/hotel as well as being suited to family vacations.

We worked hard but the people and managers with whom we worked kept us amused by continually thanking us for the work we were doing. It was a new experience to us, as here in South Africa it's rare that casual workers are even acknowledged, let alone thanked for their work!

Robyn and I shared a room which had an en-suite private bathroom with shower and bath, a closet big enough to stand in, and we were provided with a big colour TV, microwave and bar fridge ? all this and we only paid $38 per week for accommodation.

The only down side was the long hours ? typical of the hospitality industry. We worked on Xmas, New Year's Eve and Day. And of course weekends were our busiest time. So when the rest of the working world relaxes, people in the hotel industry are hard at work. But it made for good tips!

Wisconsin, being such a small town, was also very safe ? the height of crime there was during summer when people would walk out of restaurants without paying!

Unfortunately, as nice as they all were, I'm a city girl through and through. So after a month and a half of working there, I left for Detroit, Michigan to stay with my friend Kim and her husband.

Living and working in Detroit was like finding a second home! People often say that there are no neutral reactions to Detroit ? you either love it or you hate it! Well I lovedeverything about it! The people were friendly and as the city is 70% Black/African American, I fit right in. Everyone thought I was African American until I opened my mouth to talk.

While in Detroit, I worked for the Catholic Youth Organisation, a non-profit organisation committed to "getting youth into something good". I worked as the admin assistant to the Camp Director and I had so much fun, it didn't even feel like I was working! And I also got paid more than I had been paid at the resort.

While in Detroit, I visited museums, art galleries, went to the theatre, to poetry readings. I even read some of my own poetry at a poetry reading celebrating Black History Month. This was an incredible experience to me, as even though I am an aspiring writer, I had never read my poetry to an audience.

Before I left, my parents had wanted me to wait, and told me I could travel after I'd completed my studies. But I believe that if at all possible, people should travel while they're students. Once you're fully in the working world, what are the chances of you being able to travel and live in a foreign country for four months? And travelling as a tourist just isn't the same.

During our last week in the US, Robyn and I did a bit of touring ? Washington DC, the east coast, and we hated it! As a tourist you feel so rushed and you just end up spending a lot more money. Living and working in a place allows you to really soak up the culture and experience the authentic nature of a place.

I'd recommend Work USA to anyone and everyone. I wish all students could have the experience. You don't have to be rich ? we weren't. You don't have to be completely outgoing, as living abroad forces you to become more confident and outgoing, even if you're not. All you need is an open mind, an open heart to all that living and working abroad can give you. And to get there, all you need is the vision. If you have that, if you truly want to travel, you'll get there.