Montserrat Más Varela, a Summer Work and Travel participant from Argentina, has been chosen as February’s Most Valuable Participant for her successful water rescue as a lifeguard at Loews Hotels in Orlando, Florida. Our participants hold key positions at US employers that ensure optimal guest experience, and Montserrat’s dedication to her job has guaranteed the safety of Americans and visitors enjoying the Loews Hotels’ amenities. To celebrate her MVP status and share the USA’s Black History Month with her, we sent her crab mac-n-cheese from The Crabby Shack, a black-owned business in Brooklyn, NY.

Name: Montserrat Más Varela

Home Country: Argentina

Position: Lifeguard

Employer: Loews Hotels - Portofino Bay in Orlando, Florida

What are you studying: Literature and Linguistics at UNR, Rosario Argentina

Fun Fact About You: I'm a huge Broadway Musical nerd. You can always catch me listening to the soundtracks and telling you fun facts about them! I went to New York last week; going to see one of them live was like a dream came true.

What skills have you learned from your job as a lifeguard at Loews? Believe me, you learn MANY skills working as a lifeguard, from tactics to save people's life to how to take a out an stinger with only your name tag to giving directions to a guest while you're still scanning the pool without loosing focus. Seriously, this job has gave me many practical skills that I will remember for the rest of my life!

What are the best aspects about working at Loews Hotels? My two favorite aspects about working for Loews are: first of all, the food at the cafeteria. I really enjoy every meal that the chefs make for me, and I never leave work hungry! The second one is definitely the knowledge that my manager and supervisors have my back. They have defended me many times from rude guests, and I know that I can always count on them if a situation gets out of my control.

What was the most difficult aspect of American culture to adapt to? What is your favorite aspect of American culture? In my personal opinion, the most difficult thing I had to adapt to was the timing of people eating here. It's always extremely early in my opinion. At the beginning, having lunch at 11 am and dinner at 7 pm was a nightmare for me, but I got somewhat used to it. My favorite aspect of the American culture, on the other hand, is how hardworking and responsible they are! It really is about the mentality of people. It motivates me to do the same.

What are your top three recommendations for places to visit/things to do in Orlando? What I'm about to say is not very original, I know, but for me as a theme park lover my top 3 places are: Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World. You never truly finish exploring any of this places, and that makes you want to come back every single time!

What have you learned or gained from being on this program? So many things! Handful skills, new friends, i visited places I've never been before. It's definitely an experience that I would recommend and definitely would try to do again!