Karen Khor Li Ling
Participant, Santa Cruz, WAT USA 2010
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When I first arrived in Santa Cruz, I was stunned by how quiet and simple life felt compared to Singapore. Yet, it was there that I learned to slow down, reflect, and appreciate what truly matters — family, friends, and living without regret.
Every morning, I woke to the sound of waves and sea lions. The Boardwalk, where I worked as a ride operator, sat right across the ocean. Operating the rides taught me responsibility and the joy of seeing families laugh together. I realized how fulfilling it is to make someone’s day a little brighter.
Life outside work was just as vibrant. International students from around the world — Serbia, Bulgaria, Korea, Indonesia, and more — lived nearby. We cooked, travelled, and shared stories about our cultures. Despite our differences, we always found ways to connect and care for one another.
Our weekend trips took us through California’s most beautiful places — Yosemite, Big Sur, Lake Tahoe — with starlit nights, long drives, and endless laughter. Every journey reminded me how far I’d come from the cautious girl who once feared leaving home.
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This experience taught me independence, empathy, and the courage to embrace the unknown. I now understand what it truly means to seize the day. Work and Travel USA wasn’t just a program; it became a defining chapter of my life.