Imagine what it is like to be born on the steppe of a beautiful country, with a sky-blue sky overhead, nature that sings its melodies and cradle songs to you from morning till night, and lofty mountains that are silent and keep the secrets of the history of peoples — those who managed to go through blood, sweat and tears but did not lose hope for the future. These peoples managed to build our great developing country — Kazakhstan. Generation after generation, my ancestors were born and departed to the next world, closing their wrinkled and wise eyes forever, but always leaving behind their native blood. My name is Ainel and this is the story of how a simple Kazakh girl, valuing her culture, people, history and state, still does not lose hope for the further prosperity of the country, as her ancestors did, but now one thing has changed — the mindset. In the 21st century, young people or "Generation Z" go through many stages that bring changes not only in thinking, but also in values, in attitudes toward the world, toward the richness of the inner self, self-development and honor. Born into an average Kazakh family, from the very beginning I was told all the stereotypes and, unfortunately, the entrenched so-called "kelin" traditions, where a woman’s duty was to marry well and bear offspring. Being the youngest in the family, I watched how men treated our women, and how these men and mothers set an example for small children who, growing up, in practice become the so-called "household invalids" who cannot even pour themselves tea, like my older brother, who, growing up in such deep propaganda of misogyny, constant evaluation of women and reproaches, became who he is now. He is an antagonist not only in this story but also in my everyday life. Dear reader, now I will write out and reveal my soul to you.
My travels to the cities of Kazakhstan and even abroad were always accompanied by my family. They would not let me go alone all these 19 years of my life, because for them I am a representative of the weaker sex who, in their words, will not be able to adapt to the rules and laws of a foreign country and way of life; nevertheless, the very fact that they were afraid for me and acted characteristically I do not want to eradicate completely. But one fine day my friends and I decided to go to Turkestan for several days. My brother, of course, was against me being unaccompanied, but fortunately my mother let me go with close friends and, having packed the necessary things into a suitcase, we set off! At that time, I had an unfinished corporate finance project at university and I had to submit it by October 1. After flying into the city, we stayed at the house of my acquaintance, which was not in the center, and there was no signal; it sounds like the beginning of a horror film, but what I was threatened with was not torture and death, but having to take the summer semester if I did not submit my project on time. There were two days left until the deadline, and I had to, taking all the necessary things, go around all the neighbors living in the area and survey whether they had reception. In the third house, not far from my friend's, lived a grandmother and grandfather; I still remember their names with warmth — Marat and Gulnar. I remember how they greeted me warmly and let me into their home, offering me to eat with them at the same table and calling all the friends; so many conversations flowed around the table as we asked them how they met, how many children and grandchildren they had, what they did and what advice they would give to young people. After finishing dinner, I stayed to finish writing my work; time passed unnoticed and at one moment, glancing at the clock on my computer, I noticed that it was approaching one in the morning. Then Gulnar apa (after that incident, I call her only that) came up to me and said:
- Come, my girl, let's sit together and have tea.
This story is one of the warmest for my heart and memories, because Kazakh hospitality and a love of tea intersected in it. By the way, I submitted the project on time and received 90 out of 100. At the end of the story, I would like to thank them for the spontaneous and cordial reception that we remember in the evenings over a cup of hot tea.
In my second year, studying finance at university, I applied to an academic student exchange program in the Czech Republic; having passed the first stage of the interview and meeting all the criteria, I only had to pass the interview with the consul of the other university, but when they found out that I was going abroad for a whole semester, my brother forbade me from going further than he allowed. According to him, I should care more about the family and stay here to look after the home and not rush. My mother, having listened to my brother's arguments, decided that indeed little Ainel, her child, was too young to make such global decisions and that I would be more useful at home.
My third attempt to spread my wings and finally soar like the golden eagle on our national flag to freedom, to development and to the warm sun was also rejected. Last summer I tried to apply for the Work and Travel program with my friends, because it is an incredible opportunity not only to earn capital but also to see with your own eyes what you see on cinema screens and what you cannot experience in a movie theater but can only feel by being there — mentality and culture. A mutual exchange that helps us take the best qualities from one another and share our own with others.
Today I have clearly stated my position and that I want to develop, grind at the granite of knowledge, discover the world in the form in which it is described in millions of books, shown in thousands of films and painted in works of art by wonderful artists whose visions develop illustrations in the mind and send you on a small visual journey from Van Gogh to Romer. Thanks to my changed mindset, the change in the tone of my voice, and my words over the years, I finally managed to defend my future. They allowed me to participate in the program!
Participation in the Work and Travel program will help me take small but very important steps in my career growth. Dear reader, I repeat that I study in the English division majoring in finance, and by working in America and saving the required amount, I plan to invest through the brokerage company freedom finace, as before in various stocks, performing technical analysis of companies. Right now, my portfolio contains only 600 dollars, since I started with a small amount in order to gain experience and cognitive ability in analysis. I plan to invest a quarter of the sum that I will be able to earn in stocks. The second reason why the program will help me climb a step in my career is that I will be able to pay for the international exam — CFA, which stands for Chartered Financial Analyst. This exam consists of three levels; passing the first level will allow me to add an influential certificate to a good resume for working abroad, since this certificate determines the knowledge you possess in the field of finance. To take even the first level you need to have spent three years at university and only after that are you allowed to take the exam, and its cost is $1,500 (the price changes each year due to inflation). Selection and evaluation of the exam and passing the stages are not easy achievements in a career, but I believe and know that I will succeed. Third, it is the practice of cultural education and ethical exchange with people who come from different countries. The experience gained while in America will change things for the better and add new dreams, goals and plans to a new chapter of my life.
The path to change has only just begun but already has a great impact, and we, dear reader, know that it is not easy, but it is worth it. Jitters and fear evaporate and instead of these feelings there appears persistence with willpower. I cannot say exactly in which branch this exchange program will change, but I can say with high probability the flow of youth will change — the generation whose wings were broken, whose goals were trampled, whose dreams were shredded and whose feelings were devalued, yet they still stood up and proved — they are worthy!
It is time to say goodbye; in closing, I would like to thank the reader. I hope you enjoyed my story and know that it is not finished yet and has only just begun. With renewed effort and a new me.
Sincerely, Ainel!