Phua Yiting
Participant , Yellowstone National Park, WAT 2008
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I still remember the day I saw the “Work and Travel USA” poster in the NUS Science cafeteria. I knew right away this was something I wanted to do. It wasn’t just a trip—it was a chance to experience the United States differently, to work, explore, and learn beyond the classroom.
On May 12, eighteen of us arrived at Yellowstone National Park. Strangers at first, we became fast friends when a sudden snowstorm greeted us. Watching snow fall for the first time felt magical, a perfect start to what would become the best summer of my life.
I worked as a server at the Old Faithful Lodge, where excitement and exhaustion often came together. Every time the geyser erupted, hundreds of tourists would rush in, and we would scramble to serve them. The work was demanding but filled with laughter, teamwork, and shared stories.
Beyond the job, it was a lesson in cultural differences.
Many of the American youths we met were independent and hardworking, some holding managerial roles at just twenty. It made me reflect deeply on how sheltered Singaporean students often are, and how much we could learn from that early sense of responsibility.
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Living in Yellowstone was also a daily reminder of how powerful and beautiful nature can be. We hiked snowy trails, spotted bison and bears, watched sunsets in new colors every evening, and rafted down the Gallatin River.
After the season ended, I travelled through cities like Seattle, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco—each a new world of its own. The friendships I made and the experiences I gained have stayed with me ever since.
Work & Travel USA taught me independence, resilience, and appreciation for the world’s natural beauty. It truly was the summer of a lifetime.