On a bright fall morning, Michelle Chapman-Rienstra, Vice President of Account Services and Operations, visited Jellystone Park to meet three J-1 Work and Travel participants from Albania who have spent their summer working, learning, and connecting with people from around the world. What she found during her visit was the essence of the Work and Travel program in action: friendship, learning, and cultural exchange at Jellystone Park woven into everyday moments. Each participant was in their first season in the United States, eager to experience American culture firsthand and to see what life was like beyond their home country.
Meeting the Participants
The three participants were placed in different roles across the park: one as a cashier in the camp store, one leading activities in the recreation center, and another working in the café. Each role offered a unique opportunity to interact with guests and coworkers, practice English, and learn about American customs.
When Michelle stopped by the camp store, she found one of the participants behind the register, greeting every customer with a smile. Families with children came in for souvenirs, candy, and toys, and he patiently helped each one. His English was excellent, and his confidence with both adults and kids was impressive. Watching him engage with the campers, it was easy to see how much he had grown through the experience, both personally and professionally.
At the recreation center, another participant had just finished leading a glitter tattoo activity. She happily showed Michelle her glittery ghost designs, then offered to give her one as they chatted. While applying the tattoo, she told Michelle about her summer and how she and her American coworker had led dozens of activities for families and children, from arts and crafts to tie-dying T-shirts.
The third participant worked in the camp café. He told Michelle that before coming to the US, he was nervous about moving so far away and imagined that life here would be completely different. He said he thought everything would be strange and that people would be hard to talk to in English, but once he arrived, he realized that Americans are friendly. They greet you everywhere, they smile, and they even say “bless you” when you sneeze!
Experiencing Cultural Exchange at Jellystone Park
Each of the participants shared a version of the same discovery: that despite differences in culture and distance, people have much more in common than they imagined. One participant reflected, “Before I came to America, I felt it was so far away and so different. But when I met my American co-workers and guests, I realized we are all the same. We are all human, and we should be friends.”
That simple but profound statement captures the heart of the J-1 Work and Travel program. It’s about more than just seasonal employment – it’s about breaking down stereotypes, fostering mutual understanding, and building friendships that span the globe.
The participants also shared stories about their cultural adventures outside of work. Their Host Employer had taken them and other international staff to a local apple orchard to pick apples and to a county fair on their day off. These small outings gave them a glimpse of American life beyond the workplace: new foods, local traditions, and the kind of spontaneous fun that makes a summer unforgettable.
These moments of cultural exchange at Jellystone Park remind us that learning doesn’t just happen on the job – it happens in conversations, shared experiences, and the laughter between new friends from around the world.
As Michelle said goodbye, she couldn’t help but feel proud of how well these participants had embraced their experience. They came to the US as first-time travelers, a little nervous about what awaited them. They will return home with improved English, new professional skills, and lifelong memories of laughter, friendship, and discovery.
Their summer at Jellystone Park is a reminder that the J-1 Work and Travel program changes lives, not only for participants, but also for the American communities and Host Employers who welcome them. In every friendly “hello,” every shared story, and every glitter tattoo, cultural exchange at Jellystone Park is happening. And that, truly, is what the “spirit” of this program is all about.