Fourteen young people from Russia, Moldova and the Ukraine are calling Salamanca home for the summer months, while working at the Seneca Allegany Casino and Hotel. All are participants in the Work Travel Program, which places international university students, or recent graduates, in US companies to work as seasonal staff during their summer break.
Given an selection of international resort locations to choose from, this particular group decided to pick Salamanca as their destination because the Seneca Allegany Casino made the best job proposal they said. None of them were acquainted with each other until after they arrived in Salamanca.
At the Casino the students work primarily in food service and greet the Casino visitors.
All of the international guests are in or near their early 20s and many are studying economics. Most come from large cities and mentioned being a little surprised to see what a small place Salamanca is.
All said they are enjoying their time here, but most miss their families at home and "Mom’s cooking."
"At home we eat more foods that we cook ourselves, like soups," said Margarita Kirillova from Russia.
They said they were impressed with the beauty of the area, the nature and clean air, but sad to discover the lack of public transportation and how difficult it would be for them to get around.
"We were looking for an apartment to rent, since our hotel rooms were to expensive for us. We happened to meet Richie Zurat while we were shopping at the Dollar Store," said Anastasia Bilych.
Before the day was over, Zurat had become a champion for the group and had enlisted others to come to their aid. Not only were two rental houses found for the young people, but they were filled with furnishings and necessities to set up house keeping.
Rich and Sue Zurat, Ron and Patty Yehl, Leo and Debbie Maley, the Crist family, Kim and Edd Dry, Kevin and Marsha Hill and George and Allie Emerson, all had a hand in making the students comfortable and feel welcome.
Since they no longer qualified for the shuttle to and from the Casino after moving into their own places, Zurat obtained bicycles for the visitors to ride. This way they can go to and from work and around town.
"They really need people to offer them transportation to take them to places such as Niagara Falls, Darrien Lake and to the area shopping malls," said Zurat, who encourages others in Salamanca to make acquaintance with the visitors.
"Stop and talk to them at 45 Central or 509 Wildwood," he said.
"Invite them over for family get-togethers," he said.
"We are so thankful to all the people who have been so nice to use, especially Richie Zurat," said Irina Bujor from Moldova.
Amanda GRABOWSKI
Source: Salamanca Press: July 23, 2008.
