Chapter 1

The Present

Today you will read a short story about participants in a student exchange program, but the events take place in different time periods. The main characters are connected not only by this program but also by blood ties.

I.

The first chapter begins in the autumn of 2021, when Leila, a second-year student at the Kazakhstan-British Technical University, finally decided to test her fate and participate in a student exchange program. Throughout the autumn and winter, she was busy submitting documents and preparing for her embassy interview to obtain a visa. I think every program participant was a little nervous before this interview, just like Leila, but fortunately for her, everything went smoothly, and she received her long-awaited visa in the middle of spring. A month later, she was sitting in a spacious passenger plane on a flight from Almaty to New York...

II.

And finally, the pilot announces, "Ladies and gentlemen! This is your Captain speaking. We have arrived at our destination. Welcome to New York City!"

Very mixed feelings overwhelmed the fragile girl in the big, noisy, bright city. Unique delight was intertwined with slight excitement and anticipation of everything she saw.

Two days later, she was already in a small coastal town on the border of Alabama, having settled into a small, cozy house with her roommates. Leila realized that she would spend these two and a half months in this town with these people. She got a job at a local family restaurant, where she worked as a waitress. (photo 1)

There weren't many people, but there was no time to slack off either. I won't hide the fact that the first weeks were not easy for our heroine; the language barrier and cultural shock had a strong influence. How good it is that by this time she had become very close to her new friends. Sophie clearly became a very close person with whom Leila stopped feeling lonely. They handled all the difficulties together. And now, after a month, it seemed that everything was going surprisingly smoothly and well. An excellent and understanding chef, a supportive and loyal friend, very friendly and welcoming customers, and the ocean a couple of kilometers away could not help but please. Anyone would feel like the main character of an American youth TV series.

III.

Finally, after long and hard working days, the well-deserved 2-week vacation arrived before the start of classes. The girls had long been looking forward to this exciting trip around America. So many unseen places, and so little time. Their grand plans included visiting the Walk of Fame, the Grand Canyon, and Universal park.

Leila's notes.

Note one.

Vacation. This is the first day of our time off. Sophie and I rented a compact Kia Rio for two weeks. We set off for the Grand Canyon.

Our acquaintance with the Grand Canyon began at dawn from the Mather Point viewpoint. Honestly, I have never in my life watched the sun rise from behind the mountains. It is an incredible sight. (photo 2)

Note two.

We also visited Universal park, specifically the magical world of Harry Potter. I am overflowing with delight; finally, another childhood dream has been fulfilled. (photo 3, 4)

Note three.

We finally arrived in New York, our last stop.

At every subway station, there are musicians hanging out, maybe unemployed, maybe not, and as always, full of tourists, people with suitcases, noise, and bustle.

We walked through Central Park; morning walks without tourists are very important for the locals. And in the evening, we went up to the Rockefeller Center, which offers an amazing view of New York. (photo 5)

On this note, I finish describing my days, because tomorrow I will fly home)

Leila's adventures in the USA came to an end, I would have written with full confidence if not for the events that happened the next day.

In the morning, after eating delicious Lucky Charms cereal, the girls headed to the airport. Each of them missed their family and home immensely, but there was still a little sadness in their souls about leaving; it felt like they had been here for a very long time and were completely at home. Approaching the check-in counter, Leila reached for her backpack, checked the first pocket, then the second, and then the suitcase. And then a cold sweat broke out; her passport was not in any of the bags. In a panic, she returned to the hotel, but it led to no results; her plane was already on its way, and she fell into despair. And then the hotel's landline rang; a female voice from the reception desk came through the receiver, reporting that one of the hotel guests had found the passport of a girl from Kazakhstan. At that moment, she felt the greatest relief of her life. One of the problems, to her happiness and surprise, was solved. Now she had to solve the problem with tickets; buying a new one was definitely not in her plans. Therefore, she decided to contact her supervisor, who contacted InterExchange and the Embassy of Kazakhstan. Leila was rebooked on the next flight in a couple of days.

IV.

Finally, our heroine is at home in the circle of her family, discussing and sharing her emotions and impressions. This is where our short story should have ended, but no, next you will read a story that will happen 25 years later, the story of Ali, Leila's son.

Chapter 2

The Future

I.

2048. Leila's son, Ali, has grown up and is about to turn 20.
      He is studying at KBTU in the IT faculty, just like his mother in her student years.

5 years ago, in addition to the "Work and Travel" program, a direction called "Study and Travel in America" appeared. Ali is a very purposeful and capable boy, just like his mother, so he chooses the second option; he thought about applying for a student exchange program. He is burning with the desire to see the USA with his own eyes and feel that feeling of being an American student.

His level of English is top-notch, as is his academic performance, which will have a very positive impact on his future. But it won't be like it was 25 years ago. From now on, everything has changed; the selection for participation has changed. In addition to the above conditions that Ali possesses, the following must be met:

• sports performance, medium to high rank;
• ability to survive in emergency conditions, coolness (checked by questions about non-standard situations).

The privileges of studying abroad have also changed; in addition to scholarships, the student receives:

• the possibility of free accommodation and meals;
• visa processing at the university's expense;
• the study period at the partner university is increased by one extra semester (in case of good results);
• inclusion in a sports team of choice (soccer, American football, basketball, baseball).
  In case of a positive response from the university, the student is only required to pay for the flight!

Also, recently, many grants have been allocated by sponsors; this is done to improve the education of our students and spread our culture and traditions abroad. Thanks to these added conditions, a considerable number of applicants for the exchange program were filtered out, and it also provided confidence that the students who win the competition will improve their skills at the partner university in everything.

So, what happened to Ali in the end?

Fortunately, he has a sports rank; he is a candidate for Master of Sports in swimming. He started practicing this sport at the age of 4, and since then he has won many high-profile tournaments in the country, received many honorary awards, and at the age of 18, he received a call-up to the youth national swimming team. Ali accepts the invitation with pride. In 2047, the youth national team of Kazakhstan went to the world championship among peers; Ali was supposed to perform, but a month before the championship itself, the following happened...

Leila's son injures his knees during intensive breaststroke swimming; unfortunately, he severely damages the ligaments - to which the coach immediately sends Ali home, and this will most likely end the career of the promising guy.

And yet, at the last competition before the world championship, he swam 50m freestyle in 23 seconds (23.14) - which allowed him to have the rank (CMS). Surgical intervention was required; we are talking about an operation that does not guarantee that the guy will be returned to the swimming arena.

A conversation starts between the son and the mother about temporarily giving up swimming. To which Ali responds sharply and negatively, because it opened the way for him to an interesting, public life, but still, Leila asks her son to leave it and focus on his studies, namely to consider the possibilities of not just studying in his city, but flying abroad and discovering even more opportunities for himself.

After a week of reflection, watching many articles on the Internet, and his father's advice, Ali agrees with his mom. "Of course, it's not so easy to let go, but you have to sacrifice something if you have a dream to see the USA with your own eyes," Ali told his mother.

II.

The week for accepting applications for the student exchange program arrives. The diligent family submitted all the necessary documents, after which Ali was invited for an interview. Before the interview, many students worry, which you can't say about Ali. He was prepared and confident, not afraid of criticism and sideways glances. A few minutes after Ali arrived at one of the university branches, he was invited to the office, where the interview began. The guy communicates confidently, answers questions about non-standard situations, and, shaking the hand of the admissions committee firmly, leaves, hoping for the best outcome.

What's next, you ask? A couple of days later, the whole family is sitting at the laptop, having opened their email, where the letter with the answer should arrive. Everyone is sitting with a wild mood, hungry eyes on the laptop screen, craving only the letter. After some time, the letter finally reaches Ali's email, and holding their breath, they open it... "Your application has been approved" - not believing their eyes, the parents hug their son tightly with tears in their eyes, because this was the only reason to give up the sport to which he had dedicated all his years of life. Ali, not believing his eyes, hugs his parents and says: "Everything worked out, mom, dad, everything worked out, I'm flying away to fulfill my dream, thank you for believing in me, I love you very much."

III.

Autumn. Beginning of September. The day of Ali's departure to the USA for the student exchange program arrives. All suitcases are packed. His parents saw their son off with tears of pride and sadness at the same time, as they will not see him for the entire academic semester.

He will spend this period of his life at Boston Technical University; the track of subjects will be 70% similar to the Kazakhstani one. (photo 6) He has highly developed communication skills, so the adaptation went quickly. And by the end of the week, Ali had his own company of friends, consisting of 6 people, 4 guys and 2 girls. Of course, it is worth noting the university territory itself, which resembles a huge park with a very beautiful lake and picturesque views, so you feel the atmosphere of a real English suburb here. In general, it is not for nothing that the student campus is called a city within a city. It has everything you need for study and life. And what an advantage for those who love to sleep longer in the mornings – you can walk to classes in ten minutes or ride a bike.

In all US universities, there are their own peculiar traditions. So our hero encountered one of them, the night before the session, common to all students, during which a musical orchestra, playing, moves through all the campus libraries, interrupting the general vigil over books. This triggers a complete mess because students clap, shout, and jump on desks. But this helps to relieve stress, relieve nervous tension, and jitters before exams.

Another funny custom is throwing notebooks out of the campus window, accompanying the action with a loud shout, which also calms the nerves well. Just like a real American student, he joined a club, namely the swimming club.

IV.

This semester definitely didn't let him get bored. He gained huge experience in independent life, and the diversity of cultures, nations, and worldviews cannot but please. Every day he learned something new from almost every person. Just as thanks to him, Americans learned about his culture.

the trip became an expansion of all horizons, all boundaries in the head. It turns out that people can live like this, speak completely different languages, and have absolutely different views on life. You are always involved in the life of the society in which you are located. I believe that if something good can be taken from the USA, this is one of the first things that would be great to adopt. Another important conclusion is that you need to be in the right information flow and use every opportunity. This world has everything for us, we just need to take what is ours, without hesitation. This is a unique chance to look at your true self and see your strengths and weaknesses, to become a better version of yourself, even if just a little. I am sure Ali decided the same, just like his mother.