Foreign Students on J-1 Visa

Aloha Everyone,

During this past summer, J.J. and I met college students from Russia, Moldova, Lithuania and other Eastern European countries. They are in the United States with a J-1 work visa. This State Department issued visa is, "to provide program participants hands-on-experience to learn about U.S. society and culture while sharing their own culture and perspective with Americans."

That is a lofty goal, but most students come to earn money which they use towards their college tuition, purchase a computer or even help out their families. The program to attract Eastern European students started about 15 years ago. Most learn about it through word of mouth. The J-1 visa allows them to work 3 months and travel 1 month. In 2015, 105,000 foreign students were given J-1 visas and a similar number is expected this year.

The students have to pay upfront costs of travel. Once in the United States, they fill in the temporary summer jobs rejected by American students. Few land in "glamour jobs."   However, most work in low-end jobs in restaurants and hotels.  Money is one of the biggest motivations. One can save from $3,000 to $10,000 during their stay. They often work long hours taking 2 to 3 jobs and tolerate crammed living conditions with students from their own country.  

Youth is when one can spread wings and have an adventure of a lifetime. Many of the students we spoke to were enthusiastic about their experiences. Common reactions were, "Everything is BIG! Houses, cars, streets, food portions -- everything!" "American are friendly!"

They go back to study law, medicine, engineering, business, etc. We hope their mostly positive experiences would leave them with a better understanding of the United States and enhance their own lives.

Aloha -- Cathi

Families from Israel

Aloha Everyone,

Little girls were happily running around dancing, laughing and chasing each other. It was a common scene except that there were 6 children speaking in Hebrew.  Knowing that most children are now back in school, we approached their parents and asked if the children were still on their summer vacation.

They were actually two families both from Israel who just met each other yesterday. Children have keen sense of who to trust and they first befriended each other and brought their parents into the loop.

One family has 3 months of traveling and the second, 6 months. J.J. and I immediately felt a kinship as we have taken our two sons on numerous trips as early as when they were still in a baby seat. The two families met yesterday and they depart today going in their separate ways. Watching the families bidding farewell, J.J. and I wondered if  they would reconnect again.

We exchanged emails with Nir and Barki and thank them for inviting us to contact them when we visit Israel. No plans in our immediate horizon, but visiting the Holy Land including the Sea of Galilee, Western Wall, Temple Mount, Mount of Olives, Tel Aviv, etc. is definitely on our bucket list.

“Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.” – Seneca

“Experience, travel - these are as education in themselves” - Euripides

“Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education; in the elder, a part of experience.” -Francis Bacon, Sr.

"Two of the greatest gifts we can give our children are roots and wings." -- Hodding Carter

Aloha -- Cathi

Scenic Drive on I-70 West

Aloha Everyone,

Our drive on Interstate 70 West took us along the vicinities of Moab (Arches and Canyonland) and Capitol Reef National Parks. Even through Honu''s windshield at 80mph, ever changing colors and topography were impressive.

After nearly 7 hours on the road, we are safely back in Hurricane, Utah at WillowWind RV Resort.

Aloha -- Cathi

Reflections on Colorado

Aloha Everyone,

Colorado offers diverse weather and landscape. You can be in a high alpine village with snow capped peaks in August and in two hours, be in a desert.

Among hundreds of photographs I took, here are just 10 which J.J. and I love and feel that they represent what we enjoyed during our recent road trip to Colorado.

Aloha -- Cathi

Grand Junction

Aloha Everyone,

With our seemingly flexible, unencumbered lifestyle, we do have an agenda, itinerary and schedule. This includes a list of things to do which sometimes require that we have easy access to copy centers, large post offices and reliable WiFi connections.

The morning began with an amazingly beautiful sunrise that lit up the surrounding landscape.

We then ventured out to several shopping malls to look for our replacement clothes. I will spare you photos of the stores we went.  

The highlight of the day was our lunch at Mi Mexico. Our waiter, Martin brought us my Sopa de Jaiba (cream of crab soup) and J.J.'s  Arroz con Camarones (shrimp with rice).  

We must have walked at least two hours and got our exercise done. It was a busy and a very productive day!

Aloha -- Cathi