Everyone has a dream. Where do our dreams lead us? It's always different. To say that I dreamed of going to America just to tell people I'd been there would be an understatement. My cherished desire was to see this completely different world with my own eyes and discover things one can only guess about. And now, I am a second-year student at the Faculty of Foreign Languages. Back in February, I decided that I would try to participate in the Work and Travel USA program no matter what. I was determined and knew for sure that I really wanted to spend the summer across the ocean. Time flew by so fast that the moment to go for the interview arrived. This was the main and defining stage for me, which laid the foundation for the entire trip. Already at the interview, I was talking to native speakers and realized how much I wanted to speak this language throughout the summer. The excitement was growing; my parents were waiting for me outside the consulate, waiting impatiently for the result. Everyone was worried about only one question: 'Yes or no...'. I ran out happier than ever, and only one word remained in my head, and in my hands, one paper with that cherished word 'Congratulations'. I was overwhelmed with emotions, but I still couldn't believe the trip was so close. Then I impatiently waited to receive my passport to see the dates of my stay in America with my own eyes. When that cherished envelope arrived, I happily opened it and could already say with confidence that I was a J-1 Student. (Subsequently, all participants of this program are called J-1 Students). By May, I had finished my exams, and there were only a few days left until my journey. In two days, suitcases were packed and all necessary things were bought. And then the train station. Then the airport. My closest people—my family—saw me off. Saying goodbye is always hard, even if it's not forever. Any parting means endless missing, but when you decide on something like this, you have to foresee it in advance.

And so I boarded the plane alone. I didn't look back anymore because a wonderful summer was waiting for me ahead. The 10-12 hour flight turned out not to be that long. A comfortable window seat and time to think about what you expect from a trip to a distant country.