Miss Zhong

 

    A month had flown by since my arrival, and my life gradually settled into a rhythm. I have gradually adapted to the transit and lifestyle here, and started grocery shopping and cooking for myself—healthier, cheaper, and tastier than eating out. Though cooking was challenging at first, I got the hang of it bit by bit and even sharpened my skills!

 

    I commuted by bike, 30 minutes each way. The daily hour of cycling became my exercise routine. What ’s more, gazing at the ocean and blue sky has become my daily therapy—washing away stress in waves.

 

    I’ve met many kind people here, though occasional awkward moments happen too. But what sticks with me most is how strangers light up my day. Whether I'm walking or cycling down the street, Americans I've never met beam at me with a "Hey, how’s your day?". That tiny gesture—just a few effortless words—somehow resets my whole mood for hours.

 

    At the retail store where I worked, my role rotated daily among four positions. Every morning I clock in not knowing which spot I'll get. Colleagues envied how this kept things fresh for me. Despite the unpredictability, I valued this chance to develop diverse skills.

 

    One evening cycling back from Walmart, coastal graffiti caught my eye: "One day you’ll look back and be proud you didn’t quit now." With sea breezes and sunset around me, the message resonated deeply. It reminded me one of my favorite quotes: "What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger."

 

    This past month threw countless challenges at me, from daily struggles to workplace hurdles. But step by step, I feel the change: sharper problem-solving, steadier independence, a quiet maturity settling in. Sure, the journey hasn’t been smooth, but I’m learning to savor every stumble.

Miss Xie

    After weeks here, I have so much to share! Over the past period, fear locked my tongue: terrified of blunders, of blank stares, of conversations crashing mid-air. But I made a pact with myself: English only, no matter how messy. Now my spoken English has become better! And magic happened. Even when my sentences stumbled like newborn fawns, everyone here would smiled and said: "Hey, no worries!" Each time they said it, courage took root. Now I dive into chats freely, which is a great improvement for me!

Mr. HUANG

    This week, my eyes now track crowds and scan waters like second nature, and I can now spot potential hazards in seconds.

    On north tower duty that morning, I spotted a dad with three kids, his eldest drifting toward restricted zones. After two polite warnings, I kindly asked him to move back. No scolding, just informative—and it worked!

    Post-lunch, the beach was packed. That’s when I noticed a Spanish family who couldn’t read the English warning. I tossed in basic Spanish with hand gestures to point them right. They smiled and said thanks. This cross-cultural experience left me a special memory in this program.

    Later, two sunburned tourists needed aid. I guided them to medics while explaining UV risks—perks of recent CPR/AED refreshers. Now I mentally log every AED location.

    As tides dropped at dusk, my senses heightened. Four watch shifts later, sweat-drenched and bone-tired, I realized something: true vigilance reads fear in twitching hands or darting eyes. Safety speaks a universal tongue.

Mr. Wu

    This week flew by—suddenly another week gone! My days fell into a rhythm: shuttling between work, apartment, and gym. I've gotten noticeably tanner, but this routine feels truly meaningful.

 

    My first paycheck arrived. After deductions for uniforms, house rent, and deposits, little remained—yet it symbolized my hard work. Our pool manager showed daily kindness, sharing snacks and stories about U.S. history and culture. He has been so nice to us these days.

 

    For the Fourth of July fireworks, we clocked out and sprinted for viewing spots. The sky exploding in colors capped our month. Time's flying and now I’m ready to work hard!

Miss Yang

    Our store’s opening week was hectic but rewarding. The biggest hurdle? Pre-opening ventilation had run, yet smells lingered—especially in storage and fitting rooms. We countered with activated charcoal, plants, and scheduled air-outs. Professionals also retested our air to confirm safety.

 

    When customers mentioned the smell, we patiently explained our cleanup steps and offered masks. Teamwork shone as our manager trained us to prioritize health while delivering service.

    Sure, the formaldehyde hassle annoyed some, but seeing customers adore our store's style made it all worthwhile. I hope everything would be better next week!