West Hartford Libraries Host 'The Summer Help' Program On June 19

From West Hartford Libraries: At their university in Eastern Europe, they are future bankers, journalists and politicians. In America, they are just "the help."

SYNOPSIS: From Martha's Vineyard to Myrtle Beach, thousands of international college students descend upon summer resorts and tourist towns in the U.S. to clean hotel rooms, wash dishes and make pizza for Americans on vacation. Who are these students and what will they find when they get to the country of their dreams? Why do they work at two, three and sometimes four jobs for minimum wage? Is America what they thought it would be? In this documentary, we meet high-achieving students from Bulgaria who dream about going to America to do the jobs that most American teenagers don't want to do. What will they find when they get there and how will it change them?

This award-winning film has been screened internationally at film festivals, colleges, community centers and libraries around the country. After the screenings, there is usually a wide-ranging discussion about immigration, tourism, business, international students, Eastern Europe, DACA, visa programs…and how America still represents hope and fulfills dreams for young people around the world…even if it’s just for one summer.

You can see a trailer and read more info about the film on the website.

To sign up for this event, please call the reference desk at: 860-561- 6990. Parking validation will be given at the program.

Photo via Pixabay