Has it ever crossed your mind to go on an exchange program? Study or work, it doesn’t matter. What I say is that it’s worth it! I had mine at the Harrah’s casino, in Lake Tahoe, a city on the border between California and Nevada.
For a few years I researched some options and looked at some flyers from companies that make an exchange program possible. I saw some extension courses that would last 3 months, but several things were always going through mind, I thought it would be too rushed, I wouldn’t have time to also take advantage of the opportunity to be in a foreign country and get to know a little about a culture different from my own. And I would have to spend some time out of the market… Anyway, it was an idea that was always put aside, in favor of other things I had to do before embarking on such an adventure.
However, after visiting an internship and job fair in Rio de Janeiro, the idea of going on a cultural exchange program became stronger. The experience would make my English better, and would certainly be a great personal development.
So, when I finished my first University, I went straight to the United States. I got an H2B, temporary work visa for 10 months, took tests and interviews, and started to work at Harrah’s casino in South Lake Tahoe.
Have you ever heard of South Lake Tahoe? Well, it’s this beautiful place in the photo! It is a resort city, home to one of the most famous ski resorts in the world: Heavenly. The name says it all, right? The view of the lake is breathtaking, and it’s no wonder that this place is known as one of the most incredible spots on the planet for skiing and snowboarding lovers!
Regarding the city, around the casinos you can easily find accommodation. There are several simple hotels, inns, at affordable prices – some truly luxurious – and with or without breakfast. Some hotels have a shuttle to other ski resorts, or sell city tours to nearby places.
While I lived there, I worked at a restaurant at Harrah’s called American River Café, tried my luck at the slot machines, went to the movies, took the bus and got off at the little outlet mall called Factory Stores at the Y many times, had dinner at Fire + Ice Grill and Bar and at Friday’s Station, and I went to Heavenly, but I didn’t ski because I had already injured myself trying snowboarding in Sierra at Tahoe, another ski resort in region. I was enchanted by the landscape every time I went hiking close to Emerald Bay and Eagle Falls, and I took a look at the Best Buy store at Carson City. In fact, on the way back from Carson City to Lake Tahoe, the road reveals beautiful landscapes, especially in the late afternoon.
From Tahoe it is also possible to visit Los Angeles (7h30), Las Vegas (7h), and San Francisco (4h) by car. If you want to go shopping, there are two large outlets on the way to San Francisco: Folsom Premium Outlets and Vacaville Premium Outlets. I’ve been to these two several times, and it’s worth it.
In the 10 months I lived there, I made friends of different nationalities and ages, learned many lessons and practiced a lot of English. So, if you have the chance to have an experience like this, go. I went back to Brazil with many full suitcases and also a full heart. I guarantee you will also have a lot of stories to tell and unforgettable memories.