I am a J1 Visa architect working in Jorge Mastropietro Architect Atelier PLLC. My first day at the office was amazing and challenging. I was feeling nervous to get to know the people I was going to work with and was completely unaware of what my experience would be like.
I took the train for the first time from Midtown to Soho, hoping I would not get lost or delayed. I asked several people how to get to my destination and felt so surprised for their reaction, everyone was helpful and nice to me.
Once I got to the office I found my cultural challenge as a J1 Visa architect working in the USA. In my country, we are used to an informal way of addressing people, and I found myself at home when they reacted to my ways with such a friendly attitude. They showed me the office and my working place, offering to help me any time. It was easy to feel comfortable in this new environment.
The second challenge was evident at the moment of starting my new tasks. I had to start working with new technologies and imperial units; everything felt new and impossible to understand, but once more I got their help to solve any inconvenience.
It has been 4 months since I am working in New York and I cannot feel more happy and thankful for what I am living, getting to know amazing people who are always there to help and share their knowledge with me. It is more than what I expected and I hope to keep on learning.
