2029...

I wonder, to what unknown lands has the restless wind of wanderlust, born of my creative imagination, carried you now, curious reader?!

Intrigued, admit it?! 2029?.. "It can't be," you might naively think. "Is it really... 2029 - the year... Is it really... After all, one must have extraordinary courage and genuine insight to just like that, boldly and shamelessly, get ahead of the flow of time; to quickly and imperceptibly, like a true master, step over several decades and, to your surprise and imperturbable happiness, not feel the irreversible influence of time..."

Now, my reader, look around, open your eyes wide. The year 2029... We have found ourselves (perhaps this doesn't surprise you) in a world of smart machines. Yes, I anticipate your indignation and possible apprehension: of course, in a world not only of smart machines, but also in a world of people, talented in their own way and so different, yet equally having found a cozy corner, their "place in the sun," and constantly feeling the caring fatherly gaze of machines.

It is amazing, but all your, I can guess, most incredible and impossible, as it seemed then, back in the distant 2010, technical achievements and innovations are so tangible and real now! There they are, right before your wide-open eyes! "Where, where?" you look around anxiously. "I don't see anything..." Wait, don't fuss (like a little one, honestly :) ) – turn on, dear reader, your priceless imagination, and it will successfully do its job even without my help... Well, did it work?!..

... Of course, I understand you so well, your ideas and images have played out in earnest, reached, as they say, the most amazing forms and sizes... I really don't want to, my dear, interrupt these sweet dreams of an incredible and monstrously desired future life, but, alas, we must move on...

Do you know, I confess, I am not so much amazed by these indescribable (believe me, my imagination is still capable of something) technical achievements, as by the fact that even in such a machine paradise, a person, monstrously spoiled by machine care and comfort, still (although no, perhaps even to a greater extent: it is not for nothing that they say wisdom comes with age – so, the wisdom of humanity accumulates over decades) values sweet communication with healing nature; and the world, picturesquely opened on the pages of a book; and a healing walk along an unknown road, beckoning into the distance... Agree, we, traveler-futurists, are closer than anyone to understanding this feeling of an "incredible walk along an unknown road, beckoning into the distance"...

Let's look around carefully: here are bookstores, kindly providing books to those who prefer to "discover" the world of a book by holding it directly in their hands, and nearby, 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 sense of disappointment? How I understand you! So much to see, to touch, to learn – and so unfairly little time...

Listen, I think I have an impeccable (I won't be modest) idea: we need to look at the periodicals. After all, newspapers, magazines (every reader will certainly find a magazine to their taste without difficulty) tell about the events, true and not so true, of current life better than anything else. Let's try: so, do you want it in electronic form? Although you know, I think I'll look at this one with a colorful cover, old-school style. So... table of contents... Aha, science and technology - we've seen enough with our own eyes... Politics - honestly, I'm not very interested... Star life, art – we'll find out in due time... And what is this?!.. Interesting... IEC?! International Exchange Center?! As far as I remember, this is just an International Exchange Center, allowing students to "easily go to America for a few summer months to legally work and travel around the country." True, I don't understand: IEC and a whole column in a weekly magazine?! Why IEC? After all, there are dozens of such companies now (wait a minute, let's be completely frank and honest, not now - in 2029, but now - in 2010)! And popularity and fame plus a spread in a fashion magazine to boot - only for one! Now I am seriously intrigued... I must find out what is going on here: sixth... eighth... aha, here is the page 12 I need. I can't wait to take a look...

LIFE TODAY December 31, 2029

Page 12

IEC – a unique achievement of humanity

Of course, our regular readers have already managed to study the activities of the IEC thoroughly. But we are convinced that today's column will surprise and delight them. We asked people to share their opinions on the IEC website. Hundreds of thousands of letters arrived! We are publishing interviews taken by our correspondent.

...Having turned to the Center, I was surprised by the caring attitude towards me...

• What can you say about the work of the IEC?
• You know, today the IEC is the only monopolist firm on the market, absolutely without competitors, as economists would say. Just 5-6 years ago, dozens of similar firms competed with it, but gradually they voluntarily (which is quite reasonable on their part) left the market. How is this possible? Are you scared by the consequences of this monopolization? In vain: firstly, the consumer, their opinion and demand dictate the rules of the game to the market – that's one; secondly, believe me, it is far from the Center's interest to lose such grateful clients!
• Are you among "such grateful clients"?
• Yes, back in my time, in 2010 (it's amazing how long ago that was), as a student of an economic university, I participated in the Work and Travel program. But even today I continue to follow the success and prosperity of the company with joy, and now my children are its grateful clients.
• Good, but still, why did you choose IEC so many years ago?
• It's simple. Having turned to the IEC, I was childishly surprised and amazed by the caring attitude towards me. To tell the truth, even today, years later, I know that my children are in safe hands!
• What do you mean?
• You see, when I turned to the Center, I understood that personal, tet-a-tet communication with each student, yes, is useful and necessary, but, alas, unfeasible and unattainable: the time and capabilities of IEC employees are far from limitless. Then I became truly interested in how they would cope with this problem: after all, constant information and dialogue are simply necessary...
• And?..
• Newsletters...
• Just that? After all, no self-respecting organization or company is ANYTHING without electronic communication!
• Yes, I completely agree with you. But, you see, the point here is not so much in using the achievements of the Internet, but in the content, the filling of these letters. Students turn to the IEC, as I remember myself, so "green," ambitious in a good way, puzzled, I admit, a little scared: you have to end up in a foreign country. And it is so important to understand this and support young people in their desire for an independent life. And how to support them? – with newsletters. I remember reading brochures and understanding: they are communicating with me, definitely with me; surprisingly, they anticipate the questions that involuntarily arise in me; they share their experience – and all this in such a simple, accessible, understandable, not at all pretentious language...
• Yes, one cannot but agree with you: full orientation towards students in their work, detailed thoughtfulness of all subtleties and nuances allowed the IEC to rightfully occupy a leading position in the market today.

...European students, talented from birth, educated by the IEC, are the basis of inexhaustible ideas, gushing energy and unfading enthusiasm...

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

• Undoubtedly! All this is true. True, over these years (after all, it's already 2029!) cardinal changes have occurred in the work of the IEC. Judge for yourself: today every self-respecting student cannot imagine life without the IEC. If you like, the IEC is a step in education, a career that you cannot just jump over (and to be honest, you don't even want to) – you must definitely go through it, boldly and confidently, and with pleasure.

• Maybe something else?

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

• To get economic benefit?!..

• Exactly! As they admit themselves: "European students, talented from birth, educated by the IEC, are the basis of inexhaustible ideas, gushing energy and unfading enthusiasm." Which, you must agree, will in no way hinder the Americans.

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

• You are smiling in vain, by the way. 100%. You see, the IEC constantly conducts all kinds of contests, student competitions, tournaments, pushing us to actively participate in them, to "toil and sweat" for victory. True, this was the case before. But what was not there was internships abroad... to my regret, so far only for the especially talented and hardworking: it is a serious and quite expensive matter. I admit, now I am diligently striving for such an "ideal and hope" of the IEC (not only striving, but also making every effort) – I really don't want to miss the given chance!

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

Interviewed by an IEC correspondent

LIFE TODAY December 31, 2029

Listen, dear reader... We cannot waste a minute... Let's run back to 2010 – it's time to check everything for ourselves...

P.S. See you in 2029 : )!