The Summer Help

At their university in Eastern Europe, they are future bankers, journalists and politicians. In America, they are just “the help.”

At their university in Eastern Europe, they are future bankers, journalists and politicians. In America, they are just “the help.” From Martha’s Vineyard to Myrtle Beach, thousands of international 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 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? At a time of foreclosures and unemployment in the U.S., The Summer Help reminds us that America still represents hope and fulfills dreams for young people from around the world… even if it’s just for one summer.

Director: Melody Gilbert
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 68 min
Editing: Nina Altaparmakova
Original Language: en

Keywords

summer job, college student, work abroad

More Films by Director: Melody Gilbert
More Films in Genre: Documentary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Summer Help about?
At their university in Eastern Europe, they are future bankers, journalists and politicians. In America, they are just “the help.” From Martha’s Vineyard to Myrtle Beach, thousands of international 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 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? At a time of foreclosures and unemployment in the U.S., The Summer Help reminds us that America still represents hope and fulfills dreams for young people from around the world… even if it’s just for one summer.
Who directed The Summer Help?
The Summer Help was directed by Melody Gilbert.
How long is The Summer Help?
The Summer Help has a runtime of 1h 8m (68 minutes).
What genre is The Summer Help?
The Summer Help is a Documentary film.