Competition for the most interesting and original story about youth travel and student exchange programs "Now and in the Future"
Good day to everyone. My name is Dinmukhamed. I am from Almaty and I am 19 years old. Currently, I am a 2nd-year student at the International Information Technology University (IITU), majoring in Information Systems. My English level is Intermediate. In my free time, I love reading books, writing poems, and playing football. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that I am a budding writer.
- What do I know about youth travel and external academic mobility?
Academic mobility is the opportunity for students to continue their studies at another university for a certain period. Its main goal is to ensure the quality of Kazakhstani higher education in accordance with international standards and to increase its competitiveness. Since entering university, I have heard a lot about this program, but I haven't thought about participating because I didn't see any need for it, and there were many questions about this program at my university. Moreover, after enrolling in the military department, applying for this program became impractical.
Instead, I have always dreamed of going to the United States through the Work and Travel program to travel and work. In my opinion, this program is much more effective than academic mobility. You can work, travel, and see the world in a short time without any pressure, without worrying about grades, university sessions, or scholarships. I first heard about the Work and Travel program from my friends and immediately became interested in participating. However, until now, it hasn't worked out due to family circumstances and personal difficulties. Right now, I feel it is the perfect moment.
Next, I want to talk about why I want to participate in the Work and Travel program.
I still remember how I started feeling the American atmosphere and vibe while watching Netflix teen series at 15-16 years old. Series like "13 Reasons Why," "Sex Education," and "Riverdale" showed me the life of American students, and I wanted to feel that same freedom and courage. That's how my interest in America was awakened, and it grew even more through the Work and Travel program.
Later, after reading Jack London's books "Martin Eden," "Burning Daylight," and "The Sea-Wolf," my interest in seeing the real ocean and the mountains of Alaska, where Jack London himself searched for gold, grew even stronger. I developed a desire to see the power of America that inspired my favorite writer. Reading Nicholas Sparks' books like "The Notebook" and "The Best of Me," and watching the movies based on them, made a strong impression on me. The desire to know what exactly inspired the author of my favorite romance novels turned into a dream of seeing America with my own eyes. I decided that I would start writing my own love story when I go to America and continue it upon my return. For budding writers like me, traveling is an indispensable helper. After all, as the American writer Mark Twain said: "Travel is fatal to prejudice" (or "Travel is necessary for those who learn").
However, when I first told my parents that there was an opportunity to go to the USA through such a program, earn good money, and travel, they did not take it well. They didn't understand me and showed distrust, citing financial difficulties in the family. This was very hard for me. My dream seemed to collapse before my eyes. I felt like my favorite book character, Martin Eden: no one believes, no one understands, no support. But just like Ruth, who became a hope for Martin, this competition organized by CMO has become my last ray of hope. I want to use this opportunity to prove to my parents who I really am, to show my strength, and to earn their recognition. I want them to be proud of me. Yes, they can be understood — they worry, and sending a child abroad is a big risk. But this distrust from my loved ones has become my biggest motivation.
By fulfilling my high dreams, I want to help my family improve their financial situation. I plan to pay off my parents' loans. One of my main goals for going to work in America is to finish the book I have started writing and spend part of the money I earn on its publication. As I mentioned, it will be a book about love. But it will be completely different from the works of foreign and domestic authors. Even though it is my first book, I am writing it with such enthusiasm and motivation that I am sure it will turn out great. The idea to write a book came after breaking up with a girl I had been dating for several years. At that time, I promised myself: "I will definitely write a book where we are together again and happy." I want to keep this promise. To publish a book in Kazakhstan, you need at least 1 million tenge. If I work in America, I could invest that amount into my book at once. I think that for a student living in Kazakhstan, saving such an amount would take too long.
When I first thought about Work and Travel, we dreamed of going together with my girlfriend. But due to certain reasons, we broke up, and this dream became impossible for us. I heard that she is going to the Czech Republic this semester through academic mobility, and I am very happy for her. I decided that I can fulfill our dreams alone. Yes, even if I am alone, I want to walk the streets of Times Square, see the real ocean, and fulfill what we once dreamed of for the sake of the great love we had. They say you return from a trip as a completely different person; I have a hope that after being abroad, we will both change for the better, and perhaps after some time, having become different people, we will be together again.
I believe that if I win this competition and go to America, I will be able to fulfill all my dreams. It gives me even more enthusiasm and motivation. I feel like I am at the peak of self-confidence that I have never had before. I don't want my dream to break and fly away again, so I will give it my all. I am not the person who breaks under the trials of life. I want to fight to the end for myself and my dream. And I want to thank the CMO team for giving me hope and opening the path to such opportunities. WITH LOVE, Dimash!!!