Destination: Republica Dominicana!

You can watch a short video Republica Dominicana

Dominican Republic was my dream for three years and I finally made it come true! This was my first visit to the Caribbean and I fell in love with it.

The final semester at school accompanied by a job was very stressful with a lot of projects and assignments. No doubt, the final weeks full of presentations, exams, and final reports were so hectic that I had to spend nights in Gelman (GWU’s library). Struggling with a desire to sleep and trying to stay warm in the library in windy winter DC, it seemed that a getaway is impossible, it was like a dream.

But the last task is finally submitted on blackboard and I am flying … to paradise!

It is amazing to get to a warm place amidst winter and take off your jacket and boots, step on white sand and touch the azure warm waters of the Atlantic ocean, calm and peaceful. What makes it even relaxing is no internet access, no e-mails, no phone calls, total relaxation. This is paradise. Surrounded by tall palms with huge leaves I was lying on the beach and watching the waves. This is just a picture from internet!

The place was really cool. As a graduate of hospitality management program, I took the opportunity to assess the place from the point of view of a visitor and a hotelier. A spacious room with heavenly beds, modern shower cubicle, jacuzzi on the balcony, ocean view, huge territory, great entertainment, and friendly staff, isn’t it a luxury hotel? It is! You can experience this all at Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe, which is all inclusive on top of it all.

I was really amazed by the friendliness of the personnel. This property is so huge but the bellman recognized me every time I passed by. Whenever you come across a staff member, you will surely be welcomed with a smile and greeted. People in Dominican Republic are very open, easy-going, friendly and nice.

If I had a chance to select a place to live, I would definitely choose a Caribbean destination. Sun, ocean, sand, relaxation, and friendly people, what would you want more for a peaceful life?

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Destination: US!

Diversity of the United States

This is it. A two year journey came to its end. Fear, happy moments, excitement, new adventures, travels, culture shock, depression, loneliness, people go through a full range of emotions when living in a foreign country. But they get used to it. Research on culture shock is very well described, but everyone has his/her own schedule of the phases that he/she goes through. When I left for the States, everyone started asking me how to get there. No one cared what it really is to live away from your home.

I know many people who dream to live in the States, but they do not have the simplest idea what they want to do there. When I start asking simple questions, like “Why do you want to go there?”, they stumble and cannot give an answer. The grass is always greener on the neighbor’s lawn. People assume that the States is the best place in the world. This country provides very good services and the government cares of its people. It has the latest technology, great sales on black Friday, best schools, and a lot of plasmas on Times Square. But these people forget that they are strangers in a foreign country. They also forget that like any other country, the US has unemployment and poverty. Foreigners have a “better chance” to get into these categories.

I was lucky because I was fully sponsored by my government, unlike some of my friends who had to struggle to earn money for accommodation and food. My concerns were around finding a place to live, adjusting to the new environment, and getting used to the new mentality. Though I was blessed with many friends from all over the world and school overload, I have to confess that I experienced loneliness and depression sometimes.

All in all, my time in the US was amazing. People tend to remember only good things. Likewise, when one moves to another country, he/she remembers only good things about his/her country. Vice versa, when one comes back to his/her home country, he/she starts missing the best moments of life abroad. This is a reverse culture shock. I became a foreigner in my home country. Odd man out. I am a stranger here. It seems that I had everything when I was in the US but lost everything in a second.

As a friend of mine said, one should not say this is bad or good. Every country has its good and bad things. All countries are different. One should adjust to the situation and enjoy the good things. I will definitely try to do that, though I am terribly missing the US and my international friends.

This video is a short synopsis of my two-year life in the US.

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