Unicorn University student spent the summer in the USA thanks to American Camp Crew
10 min | 12. 12. 2024
Since last year, Unicorn University has partnered with Alliance Abroads to offer our students financially discounted participation in their programs, such as Work & Study and American Camp Crew. This opportunity was also used by second-year Software Development student Maksym Tkachenko, who spent the summer in the USA as part of the American Camp Crew program. In the following interview, he shared with us his experience, impressions, and the benefits this program has brought him.
Source:https://allianceabroad.com/
1. Can you tell us about the conditions of participation for Unicorn University students?
2. What did your Alliance Abroad Group program in the USA include?
It was a full day of camp work, from 6:30 am to ~11 pm, some days until 3 am, sort of like a camp instructor.
3. Why did you choose the American Camp Crew program and work at a children's camp?
I didn't choose American Camp Crew; they work with Alliance Abroad Group and you can say they chose me, which wasn't the deciding factor. I decided to work at a camp (I chose a camp with almost adult children) because I have always been interested in the interactions of people in groups, the ability to successfully form teams, to observe people's actions and reactions in unusual situations, to understand what and why people are driven, how they can be helped and directed, what personality types get along better or worse on what level. Because, if I understood correctly, a lot of it depends on culture as well, and it was extremely interesting to me to see how these interactions take place across the ocean.
4. What were your first impressions when you arrived in the U.S.?
It was a mixture of excitement and joy, a strong interest in everything new and unusual, and fear of not understanding or doing something wrong. However, the fear disappeared within a few days, and I adapted well.
5. How was your day at American Camp Crew?
We had 2-4 men and 1-2 women as instructors depending on the number of kids and gender ratio, usually around 15 kids per camp. We spent all day and night with them, figuring out, planning, organizing, and teaching all the activities. Since I chose the oldest children, they had special programs. We lived, always, all the time, in tents. There was no electricity, no water, and practically no signal in most places, let alone internet. All of this had to be stocked up in the main building before each night. Also, for example, there was no food in the mess hall on a schedule, we had to go to the warehouse three times a day to get food in its completely raw state (for the canoe program - to finish the boats), and then cut/clean/process and cook that food on a fire that we had to build ourselves, including collecting or chopping wood. Even in the rain, on wet ground, the kids always prepared the food themselves. After each meal, it was also necessary to carefully pick up all the food scraps and wash the dishes because on the other side of the hill lived bears and other smaller animals that smelled the food, came for it, caused panic, and looted the tents. So, in reality, most of the day was spent preparing and cleaning up food. In the breaks, there were activities, such as several hours of swimming almost every day and a mandatory shower in the evening. There were also special trips with these older children for 6-7 days, depending on your chosen direction.
All groups were taken deep into the national park, a few hours' drive from camp, and left there with tents, a paper map of the route, and a week's food supply. And we started our trip: the cycling department rode, the boating department floated the river, the forest survival program was on foot, each group taking its own route (and yes, all the gear, food, and clothing was carried by the group, so if the boat capsized, for example, everything went down irretrievably). And roughly the same routine as in the main camp, we spent 6-7 days hiking, just without showers. Washing was only possible in the river, and that was if we were lucky. But in general, almost everyone enjoyed it, and the kids were happy.
9. What other benefits did you gain from American Camp Crew besides improving your English?
I definitely gained communication skills: the ability to network and negotiate with different people of different ages, genders, and opinions. I would also add the ability to make immediate decisions based on the situation and to remain calm and collected at all times.
10. Would you recommend this program to other students?
Yes, I would recommend such a program to everyone. There is something for everyone. Activity lovers can choose something similar to what I chose. Those who want to live in more comfortable conditions can choose the younger kids. They live in houses, have a dining room, and play simpler activities like crafting or playing musical instruments.
Actually, there are no special conditions; you just need to know and understand English well, which is verified first by an entrance interview and then by interviewing directly with the employer. (For example, if you can speak English at the English 6 level of the university, that's about enough.) It is also highly desirable to have some special skills or knowledge that will make you interesting as a potential teacher. For example, being good at football, mountain biking, surviving in the woods, archery, kayaking, dancing, a craft, etc.
2. What did your Alliance Abroad Group program in the USA include?
It was a full day of camp work, from 6:30 am to ~11 pm, some days until 3 am, sort of like a camp instructor.
3. Why did you choose the American Camp Crew program and work at a children's camp?
I didn't choose American Camp Crew; they work with Alliance Abroad Group and you can say they chose me, which wasn't the deciding factor. I decided to work at a camp (I chose a camp with almost adult children) because I have always been interested in the interactions of people in groups, the ability to successfully form teams, to observe people's actions and reactions in unusual situations, to understand what and why people are driven, how they can be helped and directed, what personality types get along better or worse on what level. Because, if I understood correctly, a lot of it depends on culture as well, and it was extremely interesting to me to see how these interactions take place across the ocean.
4. What were your first impressions when you arrived in the U.S.?
It was a mixture of excitement and joy, a strong interest in everything new and unusual, and fear of not understanding or doing something wrong. However, the fear disappeared within a few days, and I adapted well.
5. How was your day at American Camp Crew?
We had 2-4 men and 1-2 women as instructors depending on the number of kids and gender ratio, usually around 15 kids per camp. We spent all day and night with them, figuring out, planning, organizing, and teaching all the activities. Since I chose the oldest children, they had special programs. We lived, always, all the time, in tents. There was no electricity, no water, and practically no signal in most places, let alone internet. All of this had to be stocked up in the main building before each night. Also, for example, there was no food in the mess hall on a schedule, we had to go to the warehouse three times a day to get food in its completely raw state (for the canoe program - to finish the boats), and then cut/clean/process and cook that food on a fire that we had to build ourselves, including collecting or chopping wood. Even in the rain, on wet ground, the kids always prepared the food themselves. After each meal, it was also necessary to carefully pick up all the food scraps and wash the dishes because on the other side of the hill lived bears and other smaller animals that smelled the food, came for it, caused panic, and looted the tents. So, in reality, most of the day was spent preparing and cleaning up food. In the breaks, there were activities, such as several hours of swimming almost every day and a mandatory shower in the evening. There were also special trips with these older children for 6-7 days, depending on your chosen direction.
All groups were taken deep into the national park, a few hours' drive from camp, and left there with tents, a paper map of the route, and a week's food supply. And we started our trip: the cycling department rode, the boating department floated the river, the forest survival program was on foot, each group taking its own route (and yes, all the gear, food, and clothing was carried by the group, so if the boat capsized, for example, everything went down irretrievably). And roughly the same routine as in the main camp, we spent 6-7 days hiking, just without showers. Washing was only possible in the river, and that was if we were lucky. But in general, almost everyone enjoyed it, and the kids were happy.
6. What surprised you most about the American culture or way of life?
The speed and kindness. New York is a huge city (about half a thousand subway stations) and very fast, especially compared to Prague. Everyone is in a hurry, doing something, even late at night the streets are full of people. Still, the people were very kind and helpful; they were always easy and calm to help and explain and were very friendly overall.
7. Did you have the opportunity to meet interesting people during your stay? Did you make any friendships?
I was definitely surprised that I liked all my colleagues. Although there were people from all over the world, they were all extremely knowledgeable, sociable, and kind. I became well acquainted and made friends with dozens of people, and I am in contact with most of them and have even met some of them again.
I was definitely surprised that I liked all my colleagues. Although there were people from all over the world, they were all extremely knowledgeable, sociable, and kind. I became well acquainted and made friends with dozens of people, and I am in contact with most of them and have even met some of them again.
8. Have you experienced any cultural differences that you found amusing or interesting?
I wouldn't say anything has fundamentally shocked me, but I have noticed that people are more focused on the outcome and speed than on the process or side circumstances.
9. What other benefits did you gain from American Camp Crew besides improving your English?
I definitely gained communication skills: the ability to network and negotiate with different people of different ages, genders, and opinions. I would also add the ability to make immediate decisions based on the situation and to remain calm and collected at all times.
10. Would you recommend this program to other students?
Yes, I would recommend such a program to everyone. There is something for everyone. Activity lovers can choose something similar to what I chose. Those who want to live in more comfortable conditions can choose the younger kids. They live in houses, have a dining room, and play simpler activities like crafting or playing musical instruments.
The American Camp Crew program provides a unique chance to live and work at some of the best summer camps in America, where you'll work with kids and teach them the activities you love, from sports and arts to outdoor adventure. Whether it's soccer, swimming, archery, drama, or basketball, you'll be doing something you enjoy while positively impacting the lives of campers. At the end of summer, you can explore the USA for 30 days, traveling around this amazing country and immersing yourself in its culture.
The Work and Travel program allows you to spend a summer in the USA to gain work experience in various industries, from hotels to theme parks. In addition to work, you have the chance to experience American culture, meet new friends from around the world, and improve your English. The program is ideal for personal growth and unforgettable experiences that will last a lifetime.
Alliance Abroad
Alliance Abroad is a U.S. Department of State Visa Sponsor. Celebrating over 30 years, they're still channeling a start-up spirit. Their purpose? To allow humanity to nurture real changes through the connections they create.
