I've collected the most interesting interview examples in one place; I don't think the guys will mind. --1-- C: Hi! Me: How do you do! (not thinking, not waiting for him to ask, I shove the DS-2019 at him!) C: How’re you? Me: Pretty good C: (didn't hear anything and asks again) How’re you? Me: I’M FINE! C: OK Are these documents yours? (shows my forms, photo) Me: Yes C: Are you sure? Me: Yope! C: Where’re you going to work? Me: M.P.company,Ww,NJ. C: Who is the governor on NJ state? Me: ??? I’m sorry? I don’t remember! C: And who is the president of US? Me: B. Obama! C: All right, and what do you study? Me: (I heard 'where') Kazan Cooperative Institute C: NO! I mean what do you study?? Me: Oyy, economics! C: Who is the minister of economics in Russia? Me: Uhhh… German Gref! C: Very well. Your English is good. And what’s your favorite movie? Me: (blurted out the first thing that came to mind) Comedy – Home Alone! C: Oy, you mean Home alone. Do you really like it? Me: YES! (I just love it) C: OK You’ll get your Visa! Everything is fine! Have a nice summer! Me: Good bye! (I wasn't standing as taught – straight, but leaned on the windowsill) C: Have a nice… I didn't hear the rest as I walked, no, I flew to the exit! --2-- -Officer: Hello -Me: Hi (smile!!!) -O: So… let me see… You are an exchange student, aren’t you? -M: Yes, Sir -O: And what are you going to do in America? Are you going to work? -M: I'm going to work as a waitress at an Italian restaurant. You may laugh, but working as a waitress has been one of the dreams of my life. Indeed, every time I am at the restaurant with my parents or friends, I want to be at the place of the waiter. -O: (The officer actually laughs) Well, it’s a hard job, believe me! -M: Yes, I’ve heard about it. Well, I’ll be given an opportunity to try it out! -O: Were do you study? -M: (then with an elegant gesture, the student ID, record book, and university certificates are produced, and an ode to Alma Mater begins) I’m enrolled in the program of the Russian-French University which means that I am a student at the Linguistic University of NN, where I study French and English, and at the Economics Department of the NN State University. That’s why when I graduate in two years I’ll be given two diplomas! -O: (Business-like, flips through the record book, looks at stamps in the student ID) I see…Very nice…May I have a look at your previous passport with the previous visas? This is the new one, isn’t it? -M: Yes, the passport that you have is new, because the old one has already expired. Here is my old passport. (Old passport is given, the officer flips through it, stamps the old US visa “Canceled without prejudice”). As you see, I've traveled a lot in my life. I've been many times to Europe: Germany and France. I strongly believe that travelling is the greatest thing in the world! One gets to know other cultures, mentalities, meets new interesting people and practices the language. Alone changing the atmosphere makes it worth to go on trip! -O: Ok, well…thank you, your documents are all right, everything is fine and you can pick up your visa within few days. Good luck and have a nice trip! -M: Thank you. Bye! --3-- C: Good morning. (barely looked at me, rummaging through papers) Me: Good morning. (smiling broadly.) C: Summer Work and Travel, right? Me: Right. C: So, last summer you were...? Me: Tennessee, Chattanooga. (extremely honest face) K: Excuse me?.. Me: TENNESSEE! C: Oh, oh, ok, I see. Tennessee. Last time you came back late.... Me: (heart drops into my boots, bad thoughts creep in, keeping the smile is getting harder). K: ....October, 15... Right? Me: Yes, sir. K: You missed some classes, right? (threateningly and with pressure) Me: I keep the remnants of my composure and... suddenly blurt out in a surprisingly calm tone: No! K: (puzzlement on face) – No??? But your classes start....? Me: Oh, sure, the first of September. But first two months our schedule is rather unstable, classes are not ver
Chattanooga: Travel guide, prices and free housing · 2026
Tenants in North Shore can walk across the bridges and ride the municipal electric shuttle, but drivers crossing the mountain ridges compete directly with cross-country freight traffic.
- 1 day
- Tennessee Aquarium, Riverwalk, Coolidge Park
- 3 days
- + Point Park, Ruby Falls, Hunter Museum
- 7 days
- + Harrison Bay, Raccoon Mountain, Reflection Riding
Chattanooga functions as a freight crossroads and manufacturing center anchored along mountain ridges.
The settlement expanded from a river landing and Cherokee internment camp into an essential railroad junction that shaped regional supply lines during the Civil War. Heavy industry and manufacturing followed the rails, establishing the first bottling plant for Coca-Cola and later a massive automotive assembly complex for Volkswagen. Production facilities share the valley with specialty manufacturers and rail freight depots.
Read on
A city-owned utility operates a community-wide fiber network that delivers high-speed internet to homes and sustains a cluster of tech incubators downtown. Daily routines center around walkable riverfront districts like North Shore, where independent shops line the streets across from the aquarium and art museum. Free electric shuttles run through the central corridor, reducing the need for personal vehicles within the core.
Steep ridges and mountain passes confine major highways into narrow corridors, producing heavy traffic bottlenecks around the interstate junctions. Most commercial trucks clogging the local freeways are passing through to distant states rather than delivering goods locally. Commuters navigate tunnels through Missionary Ridge and Stringer's Ridge, while funicular cars and cliffside roads provide steep access to Lookout Mountain.
- Lookout Mountain Incline Railway
- Interstate freight gridlock
- EPB municipal fiber network
- Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
- International Towing Hall of Fame
- Ross's Landing served as an internment camp before the forced Cherokee relocation along the Trail of Tears.
- Commercial tow trucks were invented in the city, which maintains an international museum dedicated to the towing industry.
- The municipal electric authority provides citywide fiber optic internet that supports local technology startup accelerators.
- The local public transit authority runs zero-fare electric shuttle buses connecting downtown with the North Shore district.
Getting there and staying
- 01Connect mobile devices to cellular roaming or airport terminal data networks.
- 02Obtain domestic currency from an automated teller machine inside the terminal if needed for cash transactions.
- 03Collect a vehicle from the airport rental counters or arrange road transport to your destination.
2 sources · As of November 3, 2026
Visa and practicalities
Choose a passport
Set your passport — processing time, fee and documents differ between passports.
Internships, au pair and study programmes have a different visa category and a different set of documents. Applications go through CMO International Programmes.
IEC international programmes- Qualifying for discounted public transit fares requires obtaining specialized photographic identification issued directly at the central transit depot.
How do visitors travel around downtown Chattanooga without a personal vehicle?
The regional transit authority operates a complimentary electric shuttle connecting downtown with the waterfront and the North Shore district. Walking and bicycling trails line the riverfront, including the Tennessee Riverwalk path. Standard bus routes connect the central districts with outer neighborhoods.
Source: Wikipedia · Wikipedia · WikivoyageWhich major air routes connect to Chattanooga?
Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport provides direct air service to several regional and national hubs. Nonstop flights link the city to destinations including Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, and Detroit. Rental cars and local bus connections are available on site for arriving passengers.
Source: Wikivoyage · WikivoyageWhat attractions are located on Lookout Mountain?
Lookout Mountain contains geological and historical sites, including Ruby Falls with its underground cave waterfall. A steep incline railway carries passengers from the St. Elmo neighborhood up to park overlooks and preserved Civil War battlegrounds. The summit area includes Point Park and walking trails with views of the river and downtown.
Source: Wikipedia · WikipediaWhy is highway traffic congested around Chattanooga?
Chattanooga serves as a major transit corridor connecting Midwestern routes to the Deep South. A high proportion of passing commercial trucks travels through without stopping in the city. The convergence of multiple interstate highways around mountainous terrain creates severe bottlenecks during peak travel hours.
Source: WikipediaWhat historical role did Chattanooga play during the American Civil War?
Chattanooga functioned as a vital rail transport junction supporting munitions and supply movements across the South. Union forces seized the city and later won decisive engagements at Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. These victories opened the gateway for Union armies to advance into the Deep South.
Source: WikipediaWhat is the historical background of Ross's Landing?
Ross's Landing originated as a Cherokee trade settlement along the Tennessee River prior to city incorporation. Federal forces later established an internment camp at the site during the forced Cherokee removal known as the Trail of Tears. The riverfront now serves as a downtown public park with boat docking facilities.
Source: Wikipedia · WikivoyageSafety and health
Getting here
When to go and itineraries
- 09:00Tennessee AquariumRiverfront exhibits showcase freshwater and marine habitats beside the Tennessee River.
- 11:30Hunter Museum of American ArtArt galleries overlook the river bluffs with pedestrian access to the waterfront trails.
- 13:30Coolidge ParkGreen spaces and local restaurants anchor the North Shore district across the bridge.
- 15:30Tennessee RiverwalkThe paved path follows the riverbank with views of the downtown bridges and water traffic.
- 09:30Lookout Mountain Incline RailwayThe historic funicular ascends from the St. Elmo neighborhood to the mountain summit.
- 11:30Point ParkThe military park overlooks Moccasin Bend and commemorates Civil War engagements.
- 14:00Ruby FallsCavern trails lead underground to a subterranean waterfall inside the mountain.
People who have been here
Stay longer on a programme
Work and Travel, internships, au pair and volunteering in United States: visa, invitation and on-site support are handled by CMO International Programmes.
Cities of United States
Countries nearby
Frequent questions about Chattanooga
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