Matej Horvath is not one to shy away from setting ambitious goals for himself. The 23-year-old physiotherapy student from Slovakia recently climbed his way into the elite Adirondack Forty-Sixers club—a group that recognizes hikers who have scaled the 46 High Peaks (over 4,000 feet in elevation) in northern New York’s Adirondack Mountains.
This year, Matej found himself in upstate New York for the second time as a Work & Travel USA participant, working full-time for the Ausable Club during his summer break from the University of Prešov. “It was my dream from high school to go to America to experience the culture,” he explains. “So I decided to go.” Despite the relative remoteness of his host location, Matej truly made the cultural exchange experience his own.
CULTURE (ˈkəl-chər)
“the set of values, conventions, or social practices associated with a particular field, activity, or societal characteristic” [1]
An avid hiker from a young age, Matej has conquered such mountains as Pico de Teide on Tenerife and Gerlach Peak in his native Slovakia. After beginning his High Peak journey last year, he vowed to return in 2024 to finish the challenge. “I told the people and also some of the members [of the Ausable Club] that I will do it next summer all 46ers,” he says. “So I made that promise and I did it.”
Working on the Food & Beverage team at the Ausable Club afforded Matej the chance to hike on many free mornings before beginning his shift, often checking off multiple peaks in a single day. As a soccer referee and former player in Slovakia, staying in good physical condition is important. But Matej credits the tranquility of the forest as an added mental health bonus. “You can think about stuff, you can listen to podcasts, music, and it was really running away from reality for a while,” he says. “You can just enjoy being on your own and alone in the trees. So it was really nice.”
But despite his appreciation for quiet time, Matej has been sure to share his passion with coworkers from China, Ireland, Spain, and the UK. “It was fun going hiking with them because I said it would be easy and they said it was the hardest hike they ever did,” he notes. “They were angry a little bit.”
Ultimately, Matej hopes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. But not before he finishes his masters degree in Slovakia.
CULTURE (ˈkəl-chər)
“the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization” [2]
Matej’s achievement may not have been possible without the supportive environment offered by his host employer. Besides providing housing and meals for their international staff, the Ausable Club allows access to club facilities, such as the tennis courts and the golf course, and has a vehicle on-hand for staff’s personal use. One added perk for Matej: his affiliation with the club allows him access to much of the Adirondack Mountain Reserve that would otherwise be off-limits without a special permit.
“The J-1 students and the Summer Work & Travel program experience is an important element to our summer operations on many levels,” explains Tom Carr, Director of Human Resources at the Ausable Club, who has been providing regular updates on Matej’s progress via LinkedIn. “Yes, it is a valuable staffing resource and the students provide lengthier staffing coverage than our U.S. college students and college interns, but we feel it is important to host students because the members of the Ausable Club have traveled the world and appreciate the connection to our staff from countries they have traveled to… It is important to learn about other cultures and create those relationships and friendships that last a lifetime.”
CULTURE (ˈkəl-chər)
“the characteristic features of everyday existence (such as diversions or a way of life) shared by people in a place or time” [3]
Spending his summers in the quiet mountains has not prevented Matej from interacting with Americans and experiencing the culture. Working in the club’s restaurant has allowed him to greatly advance his comfort level speaking English, a skill which he intends to use in his future endeavors as a professional soccer referee. “Sometimes I don’t use the correct words,” he admits, “but at the end I think I’m improved.”
And Matej’s experience hasn’t been limited to the Adirondacks. Last year, he was able to visit Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York City, Niagara Falls, and even crossed the border into Canada to experience Montreal. This year, after finishing his work commitment, Matej has his sights set on Florida.
CULTURE (ˈkəl-chər)
“the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations” [4]
Despite Matej’s idyllic summers in the Adirondacks, he suggests that the rural location may not be the best fit for those seeking a more metropolitan experience. He emphasizes the importance of researching your job location before committing, a recommendation shared by Tom Carr. “To really enjoy the Ausable Club,” Carr notes, “is to have an appreciation for the outdoors, enjoy exploring and being outside.”
Matej’s most essential advice for students considering the Work & Travel USA program?
“If you think you want to do it, just don’t think. Just do it, because you will not regret it. You can regret only what you don’t do.“
If you’re ready to create your own adventure, learn more about how you can join Work & Travel USA.
