It is well known that the 21st century is an era of globalization. Therefore, the goal of every open-minded and conscious young person should be to keep up with the times and seize every opportunity. Especially for anyone, it is a dream to travel the world and get to know countries and lands with different civilizations that we have heard of but never seen with our own eyes.
Compared to previous periods, most of my compatriots have gained the opportunity to travel abroad freely. This is a joyful fact. However, while adults can afford to travel abroad using their savings, it is more difficult for young people who have not yet stood firmly on their feet. Because for most of my peers, the financial side is a challenge. And for some, the level of education, i.e., language proficiency, is lacking. The Work&travel USA program creates a great opportunity for young people who dream of going abroad to overcome such obstacles. Through the Work&travel USA program, there is a great opportunity to fully get to know the people, culture, history, nature, lifestyle, way of life, and essence of the USA during the three months of summer.
As one of the many young people who dream of going abroad, I have also been interested in traveling abroad. I heard about the importance of traveling abroad for the first time from my older sisters.
My two sisters went to a European country through an academic mobility program. When they returned with special impressions and shared what they had seen and learned, I was very interested. They often said, "You must definitely go abroad in the future too."
When I was in school, I heard a lot about the Work&travel USA program, but at that time, going abroad with such a program seemed impossible to me. It is true that it seemed difficult for me, as I had never been away from my parents for so long. I don't know if it was because of my lack of self-confidence, thinking "I won't pass anyway," but I didn't even "allow" myself to think about participating in this program. Later, after becoming a student, my interest increased significantly. I started watching videos and reports about this program on YouTube. And the impressions of my cousin, who went to America last year through this program, doubled my interest. After his interesting stories, I concluded that it is actually possible to go. But you know the feeling of fear that takes over a person; it doesn't let you take a bold step and makes you find a thousand and one excuses. Various thoughts like "My classes at the university end at the end of June, why should I go for two months, I won't even be able to cover the expenses" swirled in my head. Later, after seeing on Instagram that a girl who is a year ahead of us in university had gone despite the difficulties with her studies, I started telling my father and mother. But my parents, who raised their youngest child with care, did not have the heart to send her across the ocean, to another continent, and did not allow me to go alone, saying, "We will only let you go if you find someone to go with." I started trying to persuade my friends to go together, but since they couldn't go, I lost hope of seeing the USA through the program. Three months passed, and I had even forgotten about Work&travel. One day, a classmate said that she had thought about Work&travel again and wanted to go. After she got permission from her parents, I told my father and mother that my friend was also going. Although they were not internally ready to let me go, they kept their promise and allowed me to go. Then we added a third classmate to our group and signed a contract to participate in the program.
Going to foreign countries is a dream for young and old, but the USA seems to be different. Whether it is the influence of American movies and TV series, world stars, or American freedom, the desire of citizens of any nation or state to strive for America has led to the emergence of the term "American dream." Since I was little, I have watched American series, sitcoms, and movies, and dreamed of seeing this country at least once. I am infinitely grateful to the Work&travel USA program, which, God willing, gives me the opportunity to fulfill this dream. Along with seeing the country and the land, I also have the goal of working and earning money. By getting a job and interacting directly with people, I would develop my English speaking skills and enrich my vocabulary. At the same time, I want to tell them about the customs, traditions, national motifs, history, cultural and literary life, and peculiarities of my country, which is unfamiliar to them, and show them that there is a country called Kazakhstan. If I pass the program requirements without obstacles, I want to take Kazakh chocolate and kurt-irimshik with me and give them to the new friends I will make abroad.
I have heard a lot about wonderful places like Niagara Falls, Disneyland, the Harry Potter store, the Hollywood sign, and the "Statue of Liberty," I have seen them a lot in movies and from bloggers, and I dreamed that one day I would go. If I am destined to set foot in those places and see them with my own eyes, I would call it the most memorable and wonderful period of my life.
Living on your own for three months thousands of kilometers from your homeland is a big responsibility, and I think it makes you grow up. I want to return to my homeland safe and sound with wonderful feelings, energy, great enthusiasm, new goals, and fresh ideas. I have hope that by getting to know the culture of another country, my worldview will expand, and I will come back speaking English fluently. I also have my own thought that I will return as a mature, educated, opinionated, and broad-minded young person with a clear dream, a set goal, self-confidence, and innovative spirit.
What is the benefit of this program for my future profession? I am currently studying cybersecurity. The United States of America is among the leading countries in the world in terms of digitalization. Therefore, I want to learn from the scientific and technical achievements of specialists in America, expand my knowledge about new technological features and innovations, and come back with fresh ideas and new projects that will benefit my country and contribute to its development.
Also, by earning money with my own labor, I would attend a course to prepare for studying for a master's degree in Europe. I think that after I return, since my level of English proficiency will have increased significantly, studying in Europe will not be very difficult for me.
An interesting fact is that my sister's friend met her future husband through this program, and now they are raising their little baby. Of course, this is not my main dream, but different scenarios can happen in life.
In my opinion, this program will be completely different in the future. Perhaps a new program called Work&travel Kazakhstan will emerge, and there will be more people willing to see and work in our country. Maybe, like the Flex program, an opportunity will be created for students abroad to exchange for working abroad during summer vacations. It would be great if the program organizers contacted foreign universities and gave students the opportunity to attend additional courses and lectures related to their profession.
Actually, the amount of money set for seeing the USA in two months under this program is not very expensive, because those who travel abroad for a week or ten days pay about the same amount. However, in these expensive times, most young people cannot afford to participate in this program. We hear that "if you work for a month, you will cover your expenses." Therefore, I have a suggestion: if it were possible to pay 50 percent of the total program amount before going, and the remaining half after returning. For this, every participant must sign a special agreement and comply with the legal requirements.
I believe that this contest organized on the basis of the program is a huge opportunity for the participants, and I am especially happy that I took a chance and submitted my essay.