Many people write about what it was like. And I won't be much of an exception to the rule. I will only say that it was... scary and exciting. As a person who has almost always been confined within the borders of the RF, I will say that flying somewhere alone for the first time is truly a bit frightening.

I flew to America alone. My first flight ever. My first trip abroad in my life (not counting Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan). My first trip anywhere alone. Without family, grandma, relatives, or friends. But this is what makes us stronger, more resilient to various life challenges. It makes us more mature. You feel it instantly. The fact that you are now responsible for yourself. You can't run and say, "Mom, Dad, protect me." That's it. You are an adult, fully responsible for all your words and actions. And you feel all this while the plane, on such a familiar and incredibly cool route: Moscow - New York, carries you to the best summer of your life.

And then the most exciting part begins. I had a connecting flight in a few hours in Chicago, and I realized that I had to urgently get from Terminal 8 to Terminal 1. Actually, there was only one way out: try my luck and find someone who speaks Russian. The attempt was a failure, and a pretty girl, an airport worker, babbled something to me in English. First time in America, English not perfect... In short, I ended up looking for the way myself. What can you do - at least it's a new experience for my collection. And I won't bore you with the story of how I miraculously managed to get to my wonderful Wisconsin Dells, how I called my mom and told her that I was finally here and that I was okay. Because every person has their own story, their own life situation in the future, however, I hope the beginning of the story is laid out and it will be interesting to at least someone.

I will only tell you about the brightest moments of the whole summer. Yes, it is categorically difficult to single out even a top 10 from my entire trip, to tell about a piece of it, and not get stuck talking for a whole day, as happens with my incredibly close friend. But I will try.

1. In first place in this top five, and far from last in my heart, is the wonderful city of Wisconsin Dells. A city that cozily sheltered me and all the students of that season for the whole summer. A city that literally hugged us during this period, protecting us from hardships. And there were some, just consider the news about a certain storm not far from us. For half the night we prayed that this bad weather would bypass our house and the homes of all the residents. It passed us by, sweeping through a neighboring town and destroying a couple of buildings.

My favorite company, favorite family, and the coolest managers. For me, it became a place that gave me incredible emotions, a bunch of memories, tears in my eyes from the realization that we have to leave this corner of personal freedom and adult life, as well as a place that gave me America. Without my favorite manager, I wouldn't have felt like I was in a family there, in a real team, and in a city that not only knows how and loves to host students, but also a place that is perfect for understanding - this is the real taste of American life. Welcome.

2. As the second significant thing, I would highlight... a trip to Disneyland. Florida, a gorgeous state for people who are going to go surfing or ride through the sultry streets of Miami, but also for those who decide to remember their childhood and dive into it. Tears of joy, not understanding whether you are in reality or have fallen into childhood forever. When you meet painfully familiar and dear characters of your childhood, you smile with them, laugh, and tell them something. When you see these happy children, the no less happy faces of adults and elderly people returning to childhood. You see all this, you feel their atmosphere, absorbing you.

3. The third reason to go to the USA and the third place in my personal ranking is Chicago. A majestic city, an incredible combination of old buildings and modern technologies is simply breathtaking. When you don't understand where you ended up. When you think that this city will clearly take you into its arms, literally whispering that you are simply obliged to stay here for one more day and examine all its outskirts. Unfortunately, we couldn't stay longer, but I would be very happy to have one more day there. The incredible 103rd floor, after which you realize that you are unlikely to be afraid of heights anymore. Although I wouldn't say that I was that afraid of it, having lived my whole life on the 15th floor in Russia. But, you must agree, it is incomparable!

4. In fourth place, I would put the second majestic city that we visited. This incredible and exciting city is New York. The capital of the whole state, a city where every student flying on this program has been. That wonderful moment when you live a 5-minute walk from Central Park, when you walk through these concrete jungles and don't understand how you ended up in Times Square or how you reached the famous M&M World. When you hear your native speech among the crowd, you gladly stick to the American tradition of eating on the street, sitting on a bench or any surface and not caring about public views. It's simply impossible to describe in words. And yes, it is worth seeing once than reading about this city a million times and going through all the online tours. Believe me, you will never forget such a city and experience in your life.

5. The last place in this top five, but far from the last in my heart, I would highlight one of the most important steps in my life. I don't want to encourage anyone to take this idea. Every person must decide for themselves. If you want to, do it. If you don't want to, there's no need to even try. :) But I got a tattoo. I won't post a photo so as not to promote this system among students. It was scary, especially when the master said "just don't jump high when I touch you" (naturally in English), but my friend laughed heartily at the expression on my face :)

We said "bye" to America and would hardly have said goodbye to it forever. To it, and to many other places on this planet. Now I have realized for myself what my life and future destiny should consist of. I hope every program participant will understand this.