Karen Khor Li Ling
Participant, Santa Cruz, WAT USA
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.
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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.
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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.
51 Goldhill Plaza,
#23-01 Singapore 308900
Mondays - Fridays: 9.00am - 5.30pm
(Strictly by Appointment only)
Saturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays: Closed
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