P.S. Good day!!!! I want to say that everything I will write below, i.e., in my blog, is the absolute truth. There will be no lies here about how everything in this journey is perfect and wonderful, or conversely, terrible and uninteresting. Noooo... I just want to tell the guys, future participants, what a wonderful chance this is to test yourself, to show what you are capable of far from home, family, and your usual lifestyle, in the epicenter of freedom, unbridled fun, sunsets and sunrises, parties, work, and everything else.

Let's go!!!!!!

"Everything is new." I didn't choose the title for the page for nothing. In this journey, a lot of things were truly new to me. To start, a little about me. Hehe. My name is Yulia Balchinova, I am from the city of Ulan-Ude, Republic of Buryatia. Yes, yes, it's in Siberia, and yes, it's cold here) Our winters are long and cold, but the sun is always shining. I'm not joking) Our republic is even called Sunny Buryatia. I study at the East-Siberian State University of Technology and Management, and my major is Biotechnology) To be honest, I had been planning a trip to America for a long time. Well, how should I say, planning, or rather, dreaming. It all started with the movie "Titanic," where in the final episodes, after the shipwreck, Rose stands on the deck of the ship that saved her and others, and looks at the Statue of Liberty. It was then that I thought that when I grew up, I would buy a ticket and see the Statue of Liberty with my own eyes.

Time passed, and now I am 20 years old and hooray, friends, I am going to America. HOORAY!!!!!!!!!! You can't imagine my emotions, the screams I let out after the phrase: "I approved your visa." And I am not going alone, but with my best friend, who, like me, was obsessed with this idea.

So, the suitcase is packed (wrapped in tape), in my hands is a small bag with passports, a guidebook to America, notes in English, and a camera. I am ready. Phew....!!

We pick up my friend and rush to the airport. As you yourselves understand, check-in for the Ulan-Ude - Moscow flight, hugs and instructions from parents. I am very glad that my parents let me go to an "unknown land" and supported me in every way throughout my entire stay there:)))

6 hours and we are in the capital of our Motherland - Moscow. This is where the many new events in my life begin. I am in Moscow for the first time, I rode the subway for the first time. Thank God, my cousin lives and studies here, and she gave us a tour. Now a huge number of people won't understand me, but Moscow didn't make a huge impression on me. Maybe because my thoughts were already far across the ocean, in anticipation of the most wonderful summer. Definitely... that's how it was:)

05/22/14, 6:30 a.m., Sheremetyevo Airport. Waiting for the flight to Rome. Yes, our path consisted of three flights: Ulan-Ude - Moscow, Moscow - Rome, Rome - NEW YORK!!). Although we were in Rome for only 2 hours and it was simply impossible to leave the airport, I say with pride that we were in Italy. Haha. Even if just passing through. The Italians are stunning. They are wildly emotional and charismatic. Oh yes, and also very handsome.

During those 2 hours, we just ran all over the airport. The thing is, in Sheremetyevo, they didn't give us boarding passes for the Rome - New York flight. It was very difficult to explain this to the airport staff, which is why we were running around. Can you imagine a bunch of students muttering in a language unknown to them (we tried to speak English, but since we were slightly panicked, Russian prevailed). But we managed and happily boarded the "SHIP OF OUR DREAMS," namely, the plane that took us to the land of "freedom."

The plane was very comfortable. You could watch movies, concerts, listen to music, and track the flight. The food was delicious. And sitting next to us were 4 Italians. You know, now I want to learn Italian too!:) My friend, who had barely closed her eyes the night before departure, slept the whole way. I, on the other hand, was in wild anticipation....))

And so, 05/22/2014, 2 p.m., exhausted and tired after the flights, but happy, WE ARE IN NEW YORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Remember what happened to me when I got my visa?? And now imagine my feelings after getting off the plane. It's impossible to retell, it must be felt....

I'm sitting here, writing, remembering, and the feelings are overwhelming. And the proof is the goosebumps on my body)) Here I am sitting like a goose and smiling like a crazy person:))))