A Long Way From Home
Questions Compiled by Kip Tabb –
Silvia Mekinova and her brother Martin Mekina, at Kitty Hawk Kites in Nags Head. The brother and sister are from Cadca, Slovakia.
Every summer the languages of the world seem to become a part of Outer Banks life as exchange students—ok, kids—from around the world come here to work. We thought it would be fun to talk to some of them and get a glimpse into what brought them here and what life was life back home.
What we found is that these are really great kids, that in spite of all of our differences in culture and language these are like college kids anywhere at any time—curious about the world around them, open to new experiences and ready to take on new challenges.
Ralitsa Nedelcheva, 20
Burgas, Bulgaria
Why did you choose the Outer Banks?
I originally had a job offer on Nantucket Island but one week before departure, received an email withdrawing job. Heard of job with Judy and came to the Outer Banks.
What did you study in your country?
International Economic Relations. I worked for the past two years at the Burgas Airport.
Where do you work?
Life on a Sandbar in Nags Head
What do you find most confusing about living here?
Transportation is confusing sometimes.
What do you miss most about home?
My sister, Elena, is 15. She just started high school. She’s a ballerina and she plays piano.
What American food do you like the best?
The food here is good. I like the food.
What do you most enjoy about living on the OBX?
It feels good here. It’s not a big difference to Burgas. (Located on the Black Sea, one of Burgas’ primary industries is tourism. Editor.)
Enkhjargal Batjargal, 21
Darkhan, Mongolia
Why did you choose to come to the OBX?
To work by the ocean.
What did you do study in your country?
I was a math major.
Where do you work?
Life on a Sandbar in Corolla
What do you find most surprising about living here?
I am surprised that people are so friendly and polite.
What do you miss most about home?
Our national food is buuz (a type of Mongolian steamed dumpling filled with meat—editor.) Our national holiday was July 11. I’m missing my home especially then. The horse racing and wrestling.
Elena Arabadji, 23
Chișinău, Moldova (Capital)
Why did you choose to come to the OBX?
This is my second time in the United States. Last year I was in Massanutten. This year I liked to see the Ocean.
What is your major in school?
Studying law at the State University of Moldova
Where do you work?
Kill Devil Hills Dairy Queen
What do you find most surprising about living here?
Everything closes at night. In my country everything stays open all night long. Also the first time I came here, I could not exchange my money. In my country you can exchange money on every corner.
What do you miss most about home?
Everything is a long distance. In my country you do not need a car..
What American food do you like the best?
In America I like a lot of stuff. But I don’t like peanut butter. Especially peanut butter on celery.
What do you most enjoy about living on the OBX?
People are more friendly here.
Ioana Chirtes, 20
Ibanesti, Romania
Why did you choose to come to the OBX?
To be by the sea.
Where do you go to school?
Dimitrie Cantemir University of Economics
What do you study in Romania?
Accounting and Management
Where do you work?
Kill Devil Hills Dairy Queen
What do you find most surprising about living here?
The people in America are very nice. They’re always smiling.
What do you miss most about home?
My family. My nephew, he’s 3-years-old. He calls me Mommy.
What American food do you like the best?
Cheeseburgers and I like American Coca Cola. It is different than in Romania.
What do you most enjoy about living on the OBX?
The ocean. In my country where I am from it is in the mountains.
Beata Schlosserova, 22
Kosice, Slovakia
Why did you choose to come to the OBX?
I chose this because this was near the beach.
What’s your major in school?
Studying translation and interpreting Spanish.
Where do you work?
Kill Devil Hills DQ
What do you find most surprising about living here?
This is a vacation place and people are so different. If they are from the south of America, they’re so chill. But from the north they want it right now.
What do you miss most about home?
I miss our bread and home cooked food.
What do you most enjoy about living on the OBX?
I like going to the beach but it’s rained a lot on my days off.
Silvia Mekinova, 24/Martin Mekina, 29
(In Slovakia the letter “a” indicates a son, “ova” denotes daughter.-Editor)
Cadca, Slovakia
Why did you choose to come to the OBX?
Silvia: I had a lot of possibilities, but they didn’t take advantage of my major.
Martin: I was in Destin, Florida last year, and it was good to come with Silvia.
Silvia: My father would not like it if Martin does not come.
What did you do for a living/study in your country?
Silvia: University of Matej Bel in Banska Bystrica. Studying tourism with an emphasis on cross-cultural tourism.
Martin: University of Zilinam, Majoring in rescue services. I went to university for a year but then left and went to work. I decided I want to be in the fire department and this degree will let me.
Where do you work?
Both: Kitty Hawk Kites—Nags Head
What do you find most confusing about living here?
Martin: We are flexible. We ride our bikes but we have friends who have a car if we need a ride.
What do you miss most about home?
Silvia: Being with family, we don’t feel homesick at all.
Martin: I miss my friends sometimes.
What American food do you like the best?
Silvia: There is not as much of a choice of foods in our country. We like Mexican food.
What do you most enjoy about living on the OBX?
Silvia: The weather. And all the thing things to do at Kitty Hawk Kites.
Martin: The weather. It is much better than Florida where it rained all the time.
Silvia: It is much warmer here than at home. It is nice to enjoy the summer here, but also to enjoy the people and culture.
