What's New at CHI Work & Travel

1. Russian Work and Travel participant Liubov Spiridonova excels as a River and Trail Outfitters Rafting Guide

Liubov Spiridonova, 21, from St. Petersburg, Russia, is a wonderful example of someone making the most of their participation in CHI's Work and Travel program. She has been working as a Rafting Guide at River and Trail Outfitters in Knoxville, MD for 3 months, and has quickly begun to excel at her position.

She recently showed off her skills by guiding two CHI employees on a thrilling and informative river rafting adventure. She impressed her passengers with her expansive knowledge of the local area, regaling them with tales of its history, as well as pointing out the many notable landmarks along their path. Her talent for her job was readily apparent, as she safely guided the raft down the river with ease, one time even freeing the raft from rocks it had become tangled in, showing off her skill and strength.

It is apparent that Liubov is a wonderful rafting guide, and passionate about what she does. She is a perfect example of an enthusiastic participant being ideally suited to their workplace, and shows just how rewarding CHI's Work and Travel program can be. We wish Liubov continued success in all of her pursuits, be they on land or in the water.

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2. Fourteen young people from Russia, Moldova and the Ukraine are calling Salamanca home for the summer months, while working at the Seneca Allegany Casino and Hotel.

International students made welcome by new friends in Salamanca
By Amanda Grabowski
Lifestyles Editor

SALAMANCA "Fourteen young people from Russia, Moldova and the Ukraine are calling Salamanca home for the summer months, while working at the Seneca Allegany Casino and Hotel. All are participants in the Work Travel Program, which places international university students, or recent graduates, in US companies to work as seasonal staff during their summer break.

Given an selection of international resort locations to choose from, this particular group decided to pick Salamanca as their destination because the Seneca Allegany Casino made the best job proposal they said. None of them were acquainted with each other until after they arrived in Salamanca.

At the Casino the students work primarily in food service and greet the Casino visitors.

All of the international guests are in or near their early 20s and many are studying economics. Most come from large cities and mentioned being a little surprised to see what a small place Salamanca is.

All said they are enjoying their time here, but most miss their families at home and "Mom's cooking."

"At home we eat more foods that we cook ourselves, like soups," said Margarita Kirillova from Russia.

They said they were impressed with the beauty of the area, the nature and clean air, but sad to discover the lack of public transportation and how difficult it would be for them to get around.

"We were looking for an apartment to rent, since our hotel rooms were to expensive for us. We happened to meet Richie Zurat while we were shopping at the Dollar Store," said Anastasia Bilych.

Before the day was over, Zurat had become a champion for the group and had enlisted others to come to their aid. Not only were two rental houses found for the young people, but they were filled with furnishings and necessities to set up house keeping.

Rich and Sue Zurat, Ron and Patty Yehl, Leo and Debbie Maley, the Crist family, Kim and Edd Dry, Kevin and Marsha Hill and George and Allie Emerson, all had a hand in making the students comfortable and feel welcome.

Since they no longer qualified for the shuttle to and from the Casino after moving into their own places, Zurat obtained bicycles for the visitors to ride. This way they can go to and from work and around town.

"They really need people to offer them transportation to take them to places such as Niagara Falls, Darrien Lake and to the area shopping malls," said Zurat, who encourages others in Salamanca to make acquaintance with the visitors.

"Stop and talk to them at 45 Central or 509 Wildwood," he said.

"Invite them over for family get-togethers," he said.

"We are so thankful to all the people who have been so nice to use, especially Richie Zurat," said Irina Bujor from Moldova.

http://www.salamancapress.com/articles/2008/07/23/news/doc48877eef9f9bd576355700.txt

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3. Students working in York Maine attend a local mixer held by the Chamber of Commerce

WELCOME TO AMERICA. The York Diversity Forum, York Adult and Community Education and Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce hosted a Seasonal Workers International Mixer at the York Senior Center on June 23 in an effort to welcome summer workers from Kazakhstan, Turkey, Poland, Russia and other places from around the world to York and to America.

Pictured above is Guillermo Larrea with friends Amina Narembekova, left, and Viktoriya Koval. Both young women are from Kazakhstan while Larrea is part of the Diversity Forum's program to provide assistance to visiting workers, including used bicycles to provide a mode of transportation between jobs and housing locations. Larrea has fixed up all the bicycles that have been donated to the program to date, so that they are in good working order for people to use.

Following the mixer, Selectman Ted Little described the event as "just a glorious time" and added that there is still a need for housing options and bicycles. He urged anyone who might have a bicycle to donate, or ideas on housing options, to contact members of the Diversity Forum at igive@maine.rr.com or 363-4214, Ext. 2113.

http://www.yorkindependent.net/news/2008/2008_06_27/080627_NWS_TT.cfm

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