Imagine what it is like to be born in the steppe of a beautiful country, with a sky-blue sky overhead, nature that sings its melodies and lullabies to you from morning till night, and towering mountains that remain silent, guarding the secrets of the history of peoples who managed to pass through blood, sweat, and tears without losing hope for the future. These peoples managed to build our great, developing country – Kazakhstan. Generation after generation, my ancestors were born and passed into that world, closing their wise, wrinkled eyes forever, but always leaving behind their own blood. My name is Ainel, and this is a story about how a simple Kazakh girl, valuing her culture, people, history, and state, still does not lose hope for the further prosperity of the country, just like her ancestors, but one thing has changed – the mindset. In the 21st century, young people, or "Generation Z," go through many stages that entail changes not only in thinking but also in values, in attitudes toward the world, toward the richness of the inner Self, self-development, and honor. Born into an average Kazakh family, from the very beginning, I was told all the stereotypes and, unfortunately, the established so-called "kelin traditions," where a woman's duty was to marry well and bear descendants. Being the youngest in the family, I watched how men treat our women, and how these men and mothers set an example for small children who, as they grow up, become, in practice, so-called "domestic invalids" who cannot even pour themselves a cup of tea, like my older brother, who, growing up in such deep propaganda of misogyny, judging women and reproaches, became who he is now. He is an antagonist not only in this story but also in my daily life. Dear reader, now I will write to you and open my soul.

My travels to the cities of Kazakhstan and even abroad were always accompanied by my family. They did not let me go alone for all these 19 years of my life, because for them, I am a representative of the "weaker sex" who, in their words, will not be able to adapt to the rules and laws of a foreign country and way of life; nevertheless, I do not want to completely eradicate the very factor that they were afraid for me and acted in a characteristic way. But one fine day, my friends and I decided to go to Turkestan for a few days. My brother, of course, was against me being unaccompanied, but fortunately, my mom let me go with close friends, and after packing the necessary things in a suitcase, we set off! At that moment, I had an unfinished corporate finance project at the university hanging over me, and I had to submit it by October 1st. Upon arriving in the city, we stayed at a friend's house, which was not in the center, and there was no signal there. It sounds like the beginning of a horror movie, but I was threatened not with torture and death, but with a summer semester if I didn't submit my project on time. And there were two days left before the deadline, so I had to take all the necessary things, go around all the neighbors living in the area, and conduct a survey about whether they had a connection. In the third house, not far from my friend's, lived a grandmother and grandfather; I still remember their names and recall them with warmth: Marat and Gulnar. I remember how easily they met me and let me into their home, offering me to eat with them at one table and to call all my friends. So many dialogues flowed at the table, as we asked them how they met, how many children and grandchildren they had, what they did, and what advice they would give to the youth. After finishing dinner, I stayed to finish my work; time passed unnoticed, and at one point, looking at the clock on the computer, I noticed that it was approaching one in the morning. Then, Gulnar apa (after this incident, I call her only that) came up to me and said:

• Al, kyzym, ozimiz bir otiryp shai isheik.
  This story is one of the most heart-warming in my memories, as it combined Kazakh hospitality and a love for tea. By the way, I submitted the work on time and received 90 out of 100. At the end of the story, I would like to thank them for the spontaneous and warm welcome that we remember in the evenings over a cup of hot tea.

In my second year, while studying at the university with a major in finance, I applied for an academic student exchange program to the Czech Republic. After passing the first stage of the interview and meeting all the criteria, I only had to pass an interview with the consul of the second university, but upon learning that I was going abroad for a whole semester, my brother forbade me from going further than allowed. After all, in his opinion, I should take care of the family more and stay here, look after the house, and not rush. Mom, listening to my brother's arguments, decided that indeed, little Ainel, her child, was too young to make such global decisions and that I would be more useful at home.

My third attempt to spread my wings and finally fly like the golden eagle on our national flag toward freedom, development, and the warm sun was also rejected. Last summer, I tried to apply for the Work and Travel USA program with friends, because it is an incredible opportunity to not only earn capital but also to see with your own eyes what you see on cinema screens, and what you cannot feel in a cinema, but only by being there – the mentality and culture. A connection that helps us take the best qualities from one and share our own with another.

Today, I clearly stated my position and that I want to develop, gnaw at the granite of science, and explore the world in the form in which it is described in millions of books, shown in thousands of films, and drawn in paintings by the eyes of wonderful artists, whose vision develops illustrations in the head and sends you on a small journey with a glance from Van Gogh to Romero. Thanks to my mindset, the change in the character of my voice, and my words, year after year, I was finally able to defend my future. I was allowed to participate in the program!

Participating in the Work and Travel USA program will help me take small but very important steps for me in my career growth. Dear reader, I repeat that I am studying in the English department with a major in finance, and by working in America and saving the necessary amount, I plan to invest in the brokerage company Freedom Finance, as I did before in various stocks, doing technical analysis of companies. Now, I have only 600 dollars in my portfolio, because I started with a small amount to gain experience and cognitive analysis ability. I plan to invest a quarter of the amount I can earn in stocks. The second reason why the program will allow me to climb the ladder of my career is that I will be able to pay for the international exam – CFA, which stands for Chartered Financial Analyst. This exam consists of three levels; passing the first level will allow me to add an influential certificate to a good resume for working abroad, as this certificate determines what knowledge you possess in the field of finance. To pass just the first level, you need to complete 3 years at the university, and only after that are you allowed to take the exam, and its cost is 1500 dollars (the price changes every year due to inflationary changes). The selection and evaluation of the exam and passing the stages are not easy achievements in a career, but I believe and know that I will succeed. Third, it is the practice of cultural education and ethical exchange with people who have arrived from different countries. The experience gained while in America will change me for the better and add new dreams, goals, and plans to a new chapter of my life.

The path to change has only just begun, but it already has a great influence, and the dear reader and I know that everything is not easy, but it is worth it. The jitters and fear are evaporating, and instead of these feelings, perseverance and willpower appear. I cannot say exactly in which branch this exchange program will change, but I can say with high probability that the flow of youth will change, a generation whose wings were broken, whose goals were trampled, whose dreams were destroyed to shreds, and whose feelings were devalued, but they still stood up and proved – they are worthy!

It is time to say goodbye. In the end, I would like to thank the reader; I hope you liked my story and know that it is not finished yet and has only just begun. With new efforts and a new me.

Sincerely, Ainel!