INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE CENTER

My Trip to America

Performed by: 2023 International Exchange Contest participant Almas Nurkhan

Checked by: International Exchange Center

Astana, 2022.

Youth travel and student exchange programs – what I know about them. Nowadays, one of the main dreams of students is to work abroad through an international exchange program, earn a substantial amount of money, and travel to see beautiful places that satisfy the eyes. This is the only effective way to fulfill these dreams: youth travel and international student exchange programs. It is no secret to those interested that this program has achieved great success to date. The program has been operating for over 50 years. Of course, the country that students are most interested in is the United States of America. The beautiful cities and amazing scenic places of developed America inspire not only students but people of all ages. However, the program is not limited to the USA. Besides that, it opens paths to the best countries in Europe, such as Germany and England. But the main goal of summer travel and international student exchange is to provide an opportunity to expand knowledge and understanding of the United States of America through joint cultural and work experience. Yes, it is certain that every student who has participated in this program learns a lot by engaging in interesting traditions, new culture, civilization, and a new society in the USA. As the saying goes, "Seeing is believing," a person quickly integrating into the life of a country on another continent across the ocean teaches them more than just earning money and working. Furthermore, by seeing historical places with their own eyes, they can understand history, and by talking directly to people, they can understand the culture, education level, and social stereotypes of that country.

My experience in the youth travel and international exchange program. I am participating in this program for the first time. Therefore, this will be my future experience. I have not been to the USA, but I know what it is like to go to another country. In 2017-2018, I traveled to Uzbekistan twice. During the trip with my mother, I visited Tashkent, where the Kazakh judge Tole Bi is buried, and Samarkand, where Amir Timur built a mausoleum. Although Uzbekistan is a neighboring country close to Kazakhstan, there are other places full of different nations, different cultures, different history, and civilization. Especially, the Registan mausoleum in Samarkand, which delves into the depths of history, made a special impression on me. The peculiarity is that Amir Timur, after having this mausoleum built, cut off the master's eyes and hands but gave him gold equal to the weight of a horse's head. Such interesting events and meeting people were a great experience for me. This trip inspired me to go to the USA through the youth travel and student exchange program.

Why did I decide to participate in the program? The program opened up great opportunities for me. That is, if I implement it, using these opportunities would be the most effective way for me. What are these opportunities? First of all, it is earning a large sum of money. As we know, the value of money in the USA is significantly higher than in Kazakhstan. Accordingly, we can work in the USA and earn a large sum of money. Saving this money allows us to travel abroad, see beautiful places, bring gifts to our family, friends, and other loved ones, and also spend this money effectively in Kazakhstan. For example, my goal is to buy a car and a house. Since I am a student now, my parents bear all my financial burdens. And a car and a house would improve my situation quite a bit. Yes, although the money from the program is not enough to buy a house completely, it is enough to pay the down payment. The youth travel and international student exchange program gives its participants such great financial opportunities. I used to think of this as a gift. Secondly, by going to the USA, I have the opportunity to learn about the good and bad sides of another country. A person can truly get quality knowledge from experience. And thirdly, developing my English language skills. Although my current English level is "intermediate," I can improve my English level by being in the middle of a real English-speaking society. Fourthly, finding friends abroad. This would be wonderful. Because I can get to know not only people from the USA but also people from other countries who have come here and learn about them. Most importantly, continuing my connection with them after the program. These opportunities answer why I am participating in the program.

What I can learn and do by experiencing a new society and culture and talking about my country's culture. In general, society is a very interesting and complex concept. Every country has its own society. Since I live in Kazakhstan, I am in a stable, familiar, established society. But the society of a strong state like the USA is completely different and complex. First of all, I have a lot to learn from this society. And living in the middle of society allows one to feel the culture of this country. By traveling abroad, I increase my knowledge. Because I can know the culture of another state along with my own country. Yes, what can I do by knowing these criteria? I can compare different cultures by talking about my country's culture and knowing their culture. Comparison helps to identify the differences between cultures. And by telling another country about my country's culture, I awaken their interest in the valuable culture of our state. In fact, the culture of the Kazakh people is wonderful. I am one hundred percent sure that foreigners are interested in our culture. By attracting them, I invite them to visit Kazakhstan. I will contribute, even if a little, to increasing the popularity of Kazakhstan.

How participating in the program will help my future career. This is a topic of great importance to me. Going abroad and earning money is one thing. But participating in the program gives two big advantages to my career. The first is developing my English language skill. And the second is learning the legal system of the USA. Because my profession is a lawyer, knowing foreign legal practices is a great advantage for me. English will enable me to get a job and earn a high salary both in Kazakhstan and abroad. Nowadays, law firms are in dire need of specialists who are fluent in English. One of my goals is to get a job in foreign or domestic law firms. In addition, I will have a wide opportunity to learn legal terms abroad. This will help to compare the legal system in Kazakhstan and the US legal system. In my legal career, I have a plan to eliminate gross errors in the legal field of Kazakhstan and to develop it. For that, I need foreign laws. For example, by just being in the USA, I can learn US tax legislation. Tax legislation in the USA is one of the reasons for raising its economy. By knowing such useful aspects, I can take useful actions for my legal career. Therefore, participating in the international student exchange program will have a strong impact on my legal career.

What can be improved in the program – if I were the main person in the international exchange program, what would I change? In fact, I have not been a participant in the program. But I conducted a survey among students who participated in the international exchange program on this question. In their opinion, actions aimed at maximizing the improvement of the student's situation should be taken in the program. I would provide opportunities for the student to create their own work schedule, choose work freely, go to any state, go at any time, and send them to employers who have been able to form the best feedback. Because for a student, the employer is very important. The connection between the student and the employer that continues the opportunities given by the international exchange program is what it is. If I were the main person in the international exchange program, I would change some parts of the internal system by doing these actions. I would remove non-working services in the program and reduce the volume of work. In addition, I would improve the quality of service provided to participants.

What will international exchange programs be like in twenty years? In fifty years? I think the international exchange program will undergo some changes in twenty years. Because 20 years is too long for a program. The world is developing very rapidly from year to year. If currently the USA is the main country for travel and work for the program, in twenty years about ten countries will be added to the USA. For example, from European countries. But for me, the view of the program not in twenty years, but in fifty years is very interesting. In fifty years – the country is new. The program will change completely. It seems that it will cover not only travel and work but also the possibilities of staying or moving to that country. People will turn to this program to move to another state. The scope of the program will increase to several states, and even places like Antarctica, the Arctic Ocean will be included in the program. Also, branches and representative offices of the program will be opened in these states and places, and they will perform their duties. In addition, it seems that the program will allow not only students but people of all ages to travel. That is, I think the view of the program in fifty years will be like this. I would also like to add that participating in this program will become easier. It will be a normal situation in people's daily lives. And more people on earth will master English than now. Not only English, but German, Russian, Portuguese, Chinese, and Korean languages will also be widely spread. I think that international exchange programs in several countries of the world will compete with each other, improving the quality of service to the people.