This year, the Summer Work & Travel Program provided two times fewer visas for Moldovan students compared with last year as the number of applicants decreased. The U.S. Ambassador in Chisinau Asif Chaudhry said that despite such a difference the relations between the two countries remained the same and that the United States is always open for the Moldovan young people, Info-Prim Neo reports. A reception dedicated to the Summer Work & Travel Program brought together students who had worked in the U.S. for three months. The young persons who have been in the U.S. this year said they gained unforgettable experience during that period and lived wonderful moments. Ambassador Asif Chaudhry said this period of stay in the U.S. allows the Moldovans to learn about the American life and traditions and to gain the experience they need for an independent and safe life. The aim of the program is to familiarize as many young persons as possible with the life and democracy in the U.S. given that the young people are the leaders and the future of the country, while the understanding between the two peoples is the major result, the Ambassador said. Present at the reception, Minister of Youth and Sport Ion Cebanu stressed that the Ministry of Youth intends to launch programs similar to Work & Travel. He said he knows very well the problems faced by the youth nowadays and wants to support them in their wish to learn from the experience of other countries. The minister assured that the Work & Travel Program will always be supported and developed. Eugen Isac, a third-year-old student at the Academy of Economic Sciences, the International Economic Relations Department, had been in the U.S. under the Work & Travel Program two times. The second time, Eugen worked as a waiter and dancer in a restaurant. Eugen said he learned a lot of things, including to be independent. He said the next year he will travel to the United States the third time, but will certainly come back. In 2008, Moldova was among the ten countries whose citizens actively participated in the Summer Work & Travel in the U.S. A number of 5,528 students of the 7,182 who applied were issued with visas. In 2009, 2,496 of the 3,467 applicants received visas. Usually, the participants in the program work in restaurants, hotels, shops, parks and sport clubs.