Some decisions in our lives make us regret them over time, but there is one thing that a person will never regret: travel. It is worth spending your hard-earned money and precious time to travel. You can find material wealth at any stage of life, but the special moments spent in the prime of youth are more precious than gold. Traveling around the world shows you the bright sides of life and expands your perspective with invaluable knowledge that no books or universities can provide. I believe I must take the first step toward my dream life right now so that in my old age, I can look back at my past with admiration and tell others about it sincerely.
Although I have heard of and seen people who have traveled to many countries, I realized that everyone has infinite possibilities to travel the moment I first set foot in Turkey. When I saw with my own eyes the beautiful nature I had learned to see in movies and series, I became convinced that travel is a part of my life. While working in a 5-star hotel in Turkey, I experienced a new culture. Since I had never worked in the hotel industry before and only knew Turkish at an intermediate level, I started the job feeling insecure. I always felt nervous before starting work. Once, I was given a responsible task inside the restaurant:
-How much time do you need?- they asked.
-30 minutes,- I replied and got to work. Since I took full responsibility, I tried to do the job thoroughly. Half an hour later, the chef came and could not find any mistakes in my work. Then he said:
-Afferin (well done),-
At that very moment, confidence took root in me. Thus, over time, I began to hear only warm words from the restaurant chefs and my colleagues. They started saying that I did a good job and reached a point where they looked forward to working with me. In this way, Turkey gave me confidence, and I learned to value my own abilities.
Traveling to another country makes us happier, but nothing can replace the moments of living in that country for several months, eating with people of other nationalities, rejoicing together, and sharing sorrows and secrets. At such moments, no matter what nationality we are, we are reminded again that we are all "humans" living on planet Earth. After such feelings, I came to the decision that "I must use every opportunity given to travel."
One of the unique opportunities currently available to students is the Work and Travel program. A few years ago, going abroad, working, and traveling seemed impossible, but nowadays, every person, regardless of their financial situation, can change their life, develop, and travel thanks to such programs. It not only awakens the consciousness of young people and shows the importance of travel, but also helps to earn a substantial amount of money. Thanks to the program, many students walk the streets of New York every year, leave their mark on historical places seen in Hollywood movies, and return home with special feelings. Through the program, I also aim to turn several of my dreams and goals into reality.
Of course, seeing America is everyone's dream, and I had added this to my list of goals for this year. It is known that success does not come without difficulty and fear, and various problems may arise during work, but when I first moved away from home, when I went to study in Astana with fear, and when I took the risk of going to Turkey, an inner strength always pushed me forward. Even at this moment, I feel that I am ready to work and travel in a powerful country like America. I want to speak with residents in English, meet people of other nationalities, and destroy some stereotypes in my mind. I want to expand my circle, find new friends, and interact with different people. I plan to put all my effort into not only getting to know another country but also sharing the beautiful nature, hospitality, and delicious food of our country, and forming an understanding of the country called "Kazakhstan." Since my major is tourism, it is very important for me to learn the good sides of other countries and pave the way for new ideas. I want to cross the ocean, work, expand my perspective, and flourish my country in the future. I aim to achieve my goal by being an example to my younger sisters and friends.
One of the important goals for this year written in my notebook is to organize a vacation for my parents abroad, specifically, to be the reason for them to travel to history-filled Istanbul. Of course, the sweat they shed for me and their gray hair, not to mention the money they spent on me, could have allowed them to travel the whole world. But I want to send my parents, who think more about their children's well-being than their own, abroad with my honestly earned money and bring a smile to their faces. That is, the next reason for my participation in the Work and Travel program is directly related to this childhood dream.
Thus, I think the Work and Travel program, which awakens students' passion for life, helps them fulfill their versatile goals, and helps them earn at least their first substantial income, has a great future. I am sure that every year the program increases the number of young people for whom America becomes not just a dream, but a goal. Over time, I wish this opportunity were given not only to students but also to people of different ages. If the number of educated people who have seen the world, developed themselves in all aspects, and speak English fluently increased, it would be a great achievement for the whole world. In my opinion, the moment has come to turn the dream in the heart, the goal in the diary, and the plan in the notebook into reality! Let's set out on this path together, my peer!
