Annica Rousettos (formerly Annica Sundberg) worked at SJ Resebyrå, a travel agency in central Stockholm, in the early 1960's. Annika and a friend, Irja Hier, sent job applications to the SAL office in New York. SAL was willing to employ them both, but would not sponsor their work permits. A friend in New York managed to find work for them at Saks Fifth Avenue, who also agreed to be their sponsors.

Annica and Irja sailed to New York on the Kungsholm in 1963, and began working at Saks as sales clerks. They made friends with fashion models and were invited to elegant Vogue parties. Greta Garbo and Richard Burton were among Irja's customers at Saks Fifth Avenue. Six months later, they applied for jobs at SAL again, and this time they were employed. Mr Earnest Bearnarth, Vice President, Passenger Traffic, walked through the office every morning and said hello to everyone, otherwise the office culture was very formal.

In 1964 Annicas father, Gustav Sundberg, visited New York and accompanied his daughter back to Sweden. Both Annica and Irja met their future husbands in New York. Annica now lives in Stockholm, still working in the travel industry, and Irja lives in the USA, in New York State.

Many thanks to Annica Roussetos and Irja Hier for sharing their memories from their time at the SAL office in NYC.