2029...

How curious — to what unknown lands has the restlessly curious reader been carried now, the untiring wind of wanderlust born of my creative imagination?!

Are you intrigued, admit it?! 2029?.. 'It can’t be,' — you may naively think? — 'Really... 2029 — the year... Really... One must have remarkable courage and genuine insight to so simply, boldly and shamelessly get ahead of the course of time; to quickly and unnoticed, in a truly masterly way, step over not just a few decades and, to one’s surprise and imperturbable happiness, not feel the irreversible influence of time...'

Now, my reader, look around, open your eyes wider. The year 2029... We have found ourselves (perhaps this does not surprise you) in a world of smart machines. Yes, I anticipate your indignation and possible fear: certainly, in this world there are not only smart machines, but also people, each talented in their own way and so dissimilar, yet equally having found for themselves a cozy corner, their "place in the sun" and constantly feeling the caring paternal gaze of machines.

Amazingly, all your, I can guess, most incredible and impossible, as it seemed back in distant 2010, technical achievements and innovations are so tangible and real now! Here they are, right before your wide-open eyes! "Where, where?" — you anxiously look around. "I see nothing..." Wait, don’t fuss (like a child, honestly :) ) — switch on, dear reader, your priceless imagination, and it will successfully do its work even without my help... Well, did it work?!..

...Of course, I understand you: your ideas and images have been playing out seriously, reaching, so to speak, the most astonishing forms and sizes... I so do not want, my dear, to interrupt these sweet daydreams of an incredible and monstrously desired future life, but, alas, we must move on...

You know, I must admit, I am less amazed by these indescribable (believe me, my imagination is still capable of something) technical achievements than by the fact that even in such a machine paradise a person, monstrously spoiled by machine care and comfort, still (or perhaps, even more so: it is no coincidence they say wisdom comes with years — thus, humanity’s wisdom accumulates over decades) values sweet communion with healing nature; and the world picturesquely opened on the pages of a book; and the healing walk along an unknown road that entices into the distance... Agree, for us now, futurist travelers, this sensation of “an incredible walk along an unknown road that entices into the distance” is as close and understandable as to no one else...

Let us look around carefully: here are bookstores kindly providing books to those who prefer to "open" the world of a book by holding it directly in their hands, and next to them, look: extremely automated and equipped with the latest technology, electronic libraries — for those who confidently keep pace with the times.

And here... and here... incredible... look here! Do you feel a kind of disappointment? How I understand you! So much to see, touch, learn — and so unfairly little time...

Listen, I think I have come up with a flawless (I will not be modest) idea: we should check the periodicals. After all, newspapers and magazines (each reader will surely find a magazine to their taste without difficulty) tell the events of current life best, truthful and not so truthful. Let’s try: so, do you want it in electronic form? Although you know, I will, perhaps old-fashionedly, take a look at this one with the colorful cover. So... contents... Aha, science and technology — we have seen plenty with our own eyes... Politics — I honestly admit, does not interest me much... Star life, art — we will learn in time... And what is this?!.. Interesting... IEC?! International Exchange Center?! As far as I remember, this is merely a Center for international exchange, allowing students to "easily go to America for several summer months to legally work and travel around the country." Honestly, I don’t understand: IEC as an entire column in a weekly magazine?! Why IEC? After all, dozens of similar companies exist now (one moment, let us be fully frank and honest, not now — in 2029, but now — in 2010) ! And popularity and fame plus a spread in a fashionable magazine belong only to one! Now I am genuinely intrigued... I must find out what this is about: sixth... eighth... aha, here is the page I need, page 12. I can’t wait to take a look...

LIFE TODAY 31 December 2029

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12 page

IEC – a unique achievement of humanity

Of course, our regular readers have already thoroughly studied the activities of IEC. But we are convinced that today’s column will surprise and please them. On the IEC website we asked people to share their opinions. Hundreds of thousands of letters arrived! We publish interviews taken by our correspondent.

...Turning to the Center, I was surprised by the caring attitude toward me...

• What can you say about IEC’s work?
• You know, today IEC is the only company on the market with absolutely no competitors, a monopoly firm, as economists would say. Just 5–6 years ago dozens of similar firms competed with it, but gradually they voluntarily (which was quite reasonable on their part) left the market. How can that be possible? Do the consequences of this monopolization frighten you? Unnecessarily: first, the consumer, their opinion and demand dictate the market’s rules — that’s one; second, believe me, it is far from the Center’s interest to lose such grateful clients!
• Are you among “such grateful clients” yourself?
• Yes, back in my time, in 2010 (amazing how long ago that was), as a student of the economic university I participated in the Work and Travel program. But even today I happily continue to follow the company’s success and prosperity, and now my children are its grateful clients.
• Fine, but still why, many years ago, did you choose IEC?
• It’s simple. Turning to IEC, I was childishly surprised and struck by the caring attitude toward me. To tell the truth, even now, after years, I know that my children are in reliable hands!
• What do you mean?
• You see, when I turned to the Center, I understood that personal, tet-a-tet communication with each student is, yes, useful and necessary, but, alas, unfeasible and unattainable: the time and capabilities of IEC employees are far from limitless. Then I became genuinely interested in how they would cope with this problem: after all, constant informing and dialogue are simply necessary...
• And?..
• Mailing letters...
• Just that? After all, no self-respecting organization, company without electronic communication is NOTHING!
• Yes, I fully agree with you. But, you see, the point here is not so much in using Internet achievements as in the content, the filling of these letters. Students turn to IEC — I remember myself — so "green," in a good way ambitious, puzzled, I admit, a little frightened: they are to find themselves in a foreign country. And it is so important to understand this and support young people in their striving for an independent life. How to support them? — with mailings. I remember reading brochures and realizing: they are communicating with me, certainly with me; surprisingly, they anticipate the questions that involuntarily arise in me; they share their experience — and all this in such a simple, accessible, clear, not at all ornate language...
• Yes, you cannot help but agree: complete orientation toward students in their work, meticulous consideration of all the subtleties and nuances allowed IEC to justifiably take a leading position in the market today.

...European students, talented from birth, raised by IEC, — the basis of inexhaustible ideas, a fountain of energy and undying enthusiasm...

• Tell me, you are now a direct client of IEC. Do you agree with the opinion of the older generation?

• Absolutely! It’s all true. However, over these years (after all, it’s already 2029!) there have been radical changes in IEC’s work. Consider this: today every self-respecting student cannot imagine life without IEC. If you like, IEC is a rung in education and career that cannot simply be skipped (indeed, to admit it — one wouldn’t want to) — it must be passed, boldly and confidently, and with pleasure.

• Anything else?

• For example, IEC’s staff has increased. Today it is simply huge: managers, psychologists (care not only for a positive team climate but, of course, moral preparedness of students is oh-so important), teachers (English — now it’s no obstacle for us), designers, interviewers, journalists... — literally everything is taken into account and thought through.
  That’s something! Special for you job selection is, I think, a colossal achievement of the Center! Everything is considered: education, desire, opportunities, abilities... For us students there appears a unique opportunity to try ourselves, to develop our creative and professional skills. For instance, while studying to be an advertising agent, I did not work in a kitchen or hotel, but worked in an advertising agency, wisely selected for me by IEC. Yes, I’ll boast to you, the Americans were so pleased with my work that they even thanked IEC financially. Believe me, their investments + investments from other satisfied employers will allow IEC to come up with something new. What can I say, thanks to IEC, this summer was simply unforgettable for me, useful for my future. Now you see how IEC helps students realize themselves, and for the Americans...

• To obtain economic benefit?!..

• Exactly! As they themselves admit: "European students, talented from birth, raised by IEC, — the basis of inexhaustible ideas, a fountain of energy and undying enthusiasm." Which, you’ll agree, in no way hinders the Americans.

• Is it true that it is IEC that forces or rather guides students "onto the true path" :)?

• Don’t smile for nothing. One hundred percent. You see, IEC constantly holds all kinds of contests, student competitions, events that push us to actively participate, to "grind and toil" for victory. Truthfully, that existed before. What didn’t exist was internships abroad... to my regret, so far only for especially talented and hardworking: it’s a serious and rather costly matter. I admit, now I am diligently striving for such an "ideal and hope" of IEC (not only striving but making every effort) — I so do not want to miss the gifted chance!

• It is astonishing how sincerely IEC believes in students, and students uncomplainingly rely on IEC. Moreover, as you yourself heard, students thought so decades ago, and students today, on the threshold of 2030, continue to think the same! Join us!

Interviewed by an IEC correspondent

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LIFE TODAY 31 December 2029

Listen, dear reader... We must not waste a minute... Let’s run back, to 2010 — it’s time to check everything personally...

P.S. See you in 2029 :)!