Hi everyone.

This is Aigerim, who saw the contest information just a few hours before it ended.

I might name my blog "Aigerim in NEW-YORK, like Emily in PARIS". Let me explain why: the American Emily unexpectedly gets a job offer in Paris, and there she encounters all sorts of interesting adventures, new friends, love, and a new culture. Similarly, I, Aigerim from Kazakhstan, upon hearing the happy news from IEC, believe that I have received a great opportunity to make the summer of 2023 as useful, interesting, and full of new friends, bright events, and new cultural experiences as possible :)

My full name is Temirbekova Aigerim. I am a 3rd-year student at the Kazakh National University of Arts. My English level is INTERMEDIATE. My major is Academic Singing; in a word, I am a future opera singer My soul finds joy in art and culture, and I have been involved in music and art for 12 years. During this time, I have been very active and have achieved many successes. I am an active participant in university, city, regional, and national events. I am a member of the UNESCO club, a scholarship holder of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Foundation, and in 2019 I was named "BEST STUDENT OF THE YEAR". I devote most of my time to my profession—vocal training—at a professional level. In addition, I lead a healthy lifestyle, play sports, and am learning English, Italian, and French. I love researching languages, and the history, culture, art, and music of those countries are very interesting to me.

The reason I chose the Work and Travel program is that since childhood, I have been watching American movies, operas, reading books, and observing their way of life, which sparked a great interest in me. Even Harry Potter opened up a great love in me because there are filming locations for that movie in the USA, and seeing the park is one of my dreams. One of my biggest dreams is, as a student who loves opera, to visit the Metropolitan Opera Theatre and see the performances with my own eyes. According to the schedule, I saw that there will be a performance in June at this theater with the participation of great opera masters, and I wrote it down in my dream notebook.

In 2020, I heard that there was an opportunity for students to go to America through this program. Of course, at that time, everything seemed simple and inaccessible because it was a period of stagnation; we went through quarantine/coronavirus/a very scary period. Over time, I focused more on my profession, studies, and development; besides, my parents were against it. Because I am the spoiled daughter of the house, they worry a lot. But now, having fully understood the program and seeing that many students have returned home safely, their worries have gone away. And as a 3rd-year student, I am very interested in the opportunity to go to the USA, and there are sufficient reasons for this.

1. I love traveling. Since I was a teenager, I grew up watching "Oryol i Reshka", Dmitry Komarov's "Mir Naiznanku", and Ptushkin's episodes. Those programs greatly changed my view of the world. The beautiful landscapes, historical places, culture, cheerful people, languages, and traditions they showed, and their art, increased my love for traveling, and a big dream appeared to see everything with my own eyes. On the current internet, on Instagram and TikTok, there are many travel bloggers who were also participants in the WORK AND TRAVEL program. When I browse through so much information and interesting facts about America, I think that I also have many opportunities to go to America, and I can do it too. "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many people need it very much," said Mark Twain, and he knew a lot about travel. I know that traveling changes a person's consciousness for the better, and it improves a person's emotional health.

2. The second is experience. Participating in this program is a unique, special experience. This is not a program I can participate in every day or at any time. That is why it is special. This is a very inspiring opportunity to get bright impressions and learn new things. I think it is unlikely to get this experience, this "opit", from anywhere else or other programs. New people, their views and culture, and workplaces are different from ours.

3. For a new environment and new friends. Just think about it: students like you from all over, each with their own unique perspective, motivation, culture, and language. How interesting it is to have such new friends. And interacting with local residents helps to fully immerse yourself in the country's culture, to accept it without any gloss, as it is, and to explore it.

4. The art and music of the USA. Visiting the Metropolitan Opera, attending a performance by world-class opera singers—what a joy!)

5. I want to further develop my English and reach a conversational level. This is also a very important thing for my profession. Because when I am at competitions or concerts in different countries, it is very important for me to speak freely and communicate directly with people.

And I think it will be very beneficial for my development; through the program, you feel your responsibility, you enter the position of an adult, not a child or a student, you observe how you establish your life in another country, and you find and form new personal abilities. I think this kind of experience is needed by the entire young generation.

In general, this program is very beneficial for my career. In terms of personal and emotional development, improving my English, being able to perform operas by American composers well, for example, Gershwin, and being able to revive my country's art for residents of other countries at international meetings, it gives me many opportunities for my thoughts to reach them fully and to leave a good impression about my country.

I am sure that the Work and Travel program gives me more than just being a traveler! Experiencing life in the USA while working with local residents is a true American experience that will help me in the next stages of my life. I think the USA is a unique country that gives an experience that no other country can give. It is a country where many have unlocked their potential, a country always open to new acquaintances, to representatives of any nation and race. A country with great opportunities to unlock potential. Compared to other countries, the United States provides something that no other country can provide in terms of the breadth of job opportunities, English language development, mastering a foreign social environment, the beauty of nature, and the mixing of cultures. I hope and believe that I can participate in this program.

Dreams come true if your goal and desire are clear

I sincerely believe that through this contest I will get 1 step closer to my dream, and I am very happy that I participated in this contest, which gives us all a chance! I am infinitely grateful to IEC (International Exchange Center) for providing such opportunities!