Atlanta, the capital of the state of Georgia, produces the most hip-hop at the moment. If you’re a fan, you’re going to love the music there. Needless to say, Georgia itself is very diverse racially.

We have relatives living in Marietta, a suburb of Atlanta, and that’s what influenced our choice of a WAT location. Job openings in Atlanta are almost impossible to find at job fairs in Bulgaria; so we went with the self-arranged Work and Travel program. To do so, you need to have a job contract prior to your departure. Luckily, that contract does not have to be real and once you arrive, you are free to look for a new job and notify your U.S. sponsor company that you have changed employers (editor’s note: having a fake contract, however, is illegal. The chances of being caught are very low, but please take them into account, as you can get deported from the U.S.).

The pay is generally low, varying from $6 to $8 an hour. The problem with going self-arranged is that it is very difficult to get a job with enough working hours. Most employers put you on a training period first, with only a few working hours per week. You may also struggle to find a second job while on training, as you will be working very flexible hours. The beauty of it is that you can change your job as many times as you want, without being stuck at the same place for the whole summer. Also, many Eastern Europeans work in Marietta, so generally employers are happy to hire Bulgarians.

We would advise you to have found a job before getting to Marietta. Firstly, that way, you can start working straight away. Secondly, knowing your job location lets you arrange housing nearby, so you can avoid long distance walks.

Regarding housing, we stayed with family, so if you have relatives in the US don’t miss this opportunity. Otherwise, many Bulgarians with Green Cards living near Atlanta will gladly take a student in for about $200 a month.

The weather in Atlanta during the summer is simply HOT, so just forget about your “in case it gets cold” clothes – you will not wear them even once. Keep in mind: air-conditioning is a must. In case your place doesn’t have one, or it gets broken, prepare to drag your mattress all the way down to the basement – it’s a bit cooler there and you might actually get some sleep.

Looking for a memorable experience? Atlanta is the hometown of Coca-Cola, so don’t forget to visit the Coke museum. A fee of $7 will get you a tour around the factory. You’ll also get to taste all the different beverages that the company offers around the world.

Not far away from the museum is the Georgia Aquarium (GA) – “the world’s largest and most engaging aquarium.” It is home to sea and ocean fish from all over the world, including Beluga whales, white sharks, electrical jelly fish and giant octopuses. You can even touch a real shark, but be sure to leave the aquarium with all your fingers! We promise, visiting the GA is an experience you will not forget.

As for all the JMC majors: you can enjoy your coffee at the main CNN headquarters next to the Olympic park in Atlanta. There is even a tour that takes you around the building.

So what are the pros and cons? The pay is low, and the hours are hard to get, but the people are friendly and famous for their Southern hospitality. The rents are low and there is a lot to see. Should you do Work and Travel in Marietta? You will definitely not make a lot of money, but if you are looking for an adventure, why not?