Interviewer (hereinafter – I): The year two thousand thirty-nine.

Goosebumps... How much could have happened in nineteen years, how much could have changed! I never thought I'd seriously say this, but today we're interviewing a student from tomorrow. Literally. Hi, Dana! We, cavemen from 2020, demand that you clear the fog over the future and tell us how the kids are conquering the country of American agreement in the forthcoming thirty-ninth year.

Dana (hereinafter – D): Hello, hello. Thanks for inviting me, the idea is amazing. Really, I just hope the signal doesn't lose quality on the way to prehistoric receivers... Just kidding! Although—no, I'm really glad to share all the necessary information: ten countries behind me in one year, my suitcase is covered with everything possible and impossible, three photo albums filled... and it all started with Long Island and friendship with IEC and the Work and Travel program. In a sense, the booster of all subsequent wanderings; I won't be afraid to give it that title.

I: Was your first serious trip really a program trip?

D: Exactly! I'll never forget that butterflies... And it was only a year ago, in 2038, when I, a second-year student, first came across information about the program. My first thought was, "What? Pay that much money for a program to go and WORK all summer? Wow, give me two." Naive child! I underestimated it, but I fixed the situation as soon as I combed through YouTube, listened to people who had gone, and hammered into my head that without this trip my life wouldn't be sweet. I spent almost a week on my "research," and do you know how long registration took?

I: Back in our 2020, few people manage it in one visit to the agency: first a consultation, then signing the contract, then delivering documents... I bet two days.

D: Less than an hour! And only because my dog distracted me... The consultation and a short interview were done via video call, everything was explained and spelled out. Then I registered and signed the contract. Actually, I just uploaded the full set of documents to the platform — the university certificate, by the way, I also got through the university website with an electronic signature — and voila! The future, technology... Not Marty McFly's flying skateboard, but you don't have to wait ten days like before. I also sealed the contract with an electronic signature. And there, on the platform, I made the first payment. Everything fast, great. Thanks to the coordinators.

I: Hard to argue it's a paradise for lovers of acting here and now. So where did you end up flying — to Long Island? How did you prepare, did you get very nervous? What did you think of New York generally?

D: Yes, I flew to Long Island, where a friend invited me to a Greek restaurant. Honestly, I couldn't have dreamed of such a place, especially on my first trip... I couldn't believe what was happening until the very interview at the consulate. There I was shaking so much, I swear. It worked out! Regarding nerves... you know, I'll tell it as briefly as I can.

I: And we'll gladly listen.

D: The people from IEC have personal accounts on the platform, and starting in March video and text materials about the consulate interview, preparation for it, smart suitcase packing, work ethics in the States... and generally tons and tons of useful information, hints, guides, tips, addresses are uploaded to the accounts. And nothing superfluous! Literally everything that used to be gathered from YouTube videos, other people's stories, blogs — ALL of it is on the platform, minus the fluff. Such a joy when all the needed info is structured and served on a platter... Something fat and lazy in me rejoiced with great force. University study is now mostly remote, but no less intense for that; the need for clear organization of materials has grown enormously, since they're all on devices. In short, IEC outdid itself to make students' lives easier. And that's not all! In spring there are in-person meetups and trainings, and if you've studied the posted material and even bothered to drop by the team's English tea party — then there won't be a more prepared worker-slash-traveler in the States than you. The nervousness will fade, scout's honor.

I: Sounds promising... What should we cavepeople do, where to run, who to call? We want the training platform!

D: You can replay this interview, let people hear how I squeal with delight, praise it in every possible way... Might work.

I: We believe in tomorrow, as they say. What were your first impressions of New York?

D: That's a whole separate story. New York... loud, bright, and sleepless. By the way, whoever I asked, whoever I spoke to — everyone arrived at Kennedy Airport in pouring rain. Everyone! However, no one — I repeat, NO ONE — was stopped by that, and everyone still stubbornly went to get photographed in Times Square, because the next day they had to scatter in all directions to their towns. I'm used to rain, I'm from St. Petersburg, but... Anyway, I was lucky: in the thirties they launched a high-speed train to East Hampton on Long Island. No more transfers, one hour from Pennsylvania Station to Bridgehampton! I love the future. I mention this because I spent my weekends in New York. You may not believe it now, and I will understand, because I heard all sorts of things from older people, but... Now you can really figure out the New York subway on the first try.

I: ...No. In what sense, what? No-o-o. No, no and no. We're having an absolutely honest interview!

D: I'm serious!

I: I think we and our listeners are ready to believe even in flying cars. Heck, we'll believe in a time machine. But the New York subway... unfortunately, we're not in J.K. Rowling's books, though we'd really like to be.

D: You'll believe in nineteen years. And in general, nowadays about half of American youth travel, because it's much easier than before. Well, that's the feeling. The circulation of young people across the States is really impressive, and it's not even down to some inventions but to the spread of group trips in RVs. Everyone's driving around now! I went to California in the autumn with five people; we spent not as much money as we thought, by the way. It was devilishly fun; I'd travel like that around the world, and definitely in a motley company, so there's constant integration and exchange of experience, learning about other cultures via satellites, somehow changing your own views, complementing them, broadening your horizons. In short, road magic in all its glory, as I call it. It was right after all that that I began my nomadic wanderings. Anticipating the question — yes, I'm still a student, though without an incredibly huge, pocket-weighting scholarship. If anything — sarcasm. A question of priorities, folks! This is my second trip, by the way. I just can't sit still anymore. What have you done, IEC...

I: And what was I needed for here?.. Dana, you interviewed yourself! Are you taking my bread? But seriously, the future of the student-traveler sounds different, yet not in an alien way. Not foreign.

D: Well yes, moon tours still have to wait, but overall it's about details that make life more comfortable. Calm but confident changes here and there, something like that. Although who knows, maybe somewhere a time machine and a perpetual motion machine are already waiting for their hour... but we, mere mortals, for now will enjoy traveling on high-speed trains and in RVs.

I: Sound thought, sound. Unfortunately, our interview is coming to an end... The future is surely waiting for you. Maybe you'd like to say something to IEC on its thirtieth anniversary? The Center celebrated its jubilee!

D: Oh yes, absolutely! Ahem. Dear IEC, in three years you'll reach adulthood by hobbit standards, so... so don't forget to throw the grandest party about it! Okay? Thank you for everything. Seriously, thank you; there are no words to express all my gratitude. Happy birthday. I still have a huge road ahead, but I'll never forget where I started, honest as a pioneer, and you even more so. So... yes. Yes, I think we crossed paths for a reason. See you in tomorrow!