It is well known that the 21st century is an era of globalization. Therefore, keeping up with the times and seizing every opportunity should be the goal of every open-minded and ambitious young person. Especially for anyone, traveling the world and getting to know countries and lands that one has heard of but never seen with one's own eyes is a dream.
Compared to the past, most of my compatriots have gained the opportunity to travel abroad freely. This is a joyful fact. However, while adults can afford to travel abroad using their savings, it is more difficult for young people who have not yet stood on their own feet. This is because many of my peers face financial difficulties. Others lack the necessary level of education, specifically language proficiency. The Work&travel USA program creates a great opportunity for young people who dream of going abroad to overcome such obstacles. The Work&travel USA program provides a great opportunity to fully get to know the people, culture, history, nature, lifestyle, and essence of the USA during the three months of summer.
As one of the many young people who dream of going abroad, I have also been interested in traveling abroad. I first heard about the importance of going abroad from my older sisters.
My two sisters went to a European country through an academic mobility program. When they returned with special impressions and shared what they had seen and learned, I was very interested. They often said, "You must definitely go abroad in the future too."
When I was in school, I heard a lot about the Work&travel USA program, but at that time, going abroad with such a program seemed impossible to me. It is true that it seemed difficult for me, as I had never been away from my parents for such a long time. I don't know if it was my lack of self-confidence, thinking "I won't pass anyway," but I didn't even "allow" myself to think about participating in this program. Later, after becoming a student, my interest increased significantly. I started watching videos and reports about this program on YouTube. And the impressions of my cousin, who went to America last year through this program, doubled my interest. After his interesting stories, I concluded that it is actually possible to go. But you know the feeling of fear that takes over a person; it doesn't let you take a bold step and makes you find a thousand excuses. Thoughts like "My university classes end at the end of June, why should I go for two months, I won't even be able to cover the costs" swirled in my head. Later, after seeing on Instagram that a girl one year ahead of me in university had gone despite difficulties with her studies, I started telling my father and mother. But my parents, who raised their youngest child with care, did not have the heart to send me across the ocean to another continent and did not allow me to go alone, saying, "We will only let you go if you find someone to go with." I started trying to get my friends to go with me, but since they couldn't go, I lost hope of seeing the USA through the program. Three months passed, and I had even forgotten about Work&travel. One day, a classmate said she had rethought about Work&travel and wanted to go. After she got permission from her parents, I told my father and mother that my friend was also going. Although they were not ready to let me go deep down, they kept their promise and allowed me to go. Then we added a third classmate to our group and signed a contract to participate in the program.
Going to foreign countries is a dream for both young and old, but the USA seems to be different. Whether it's the influence of American movies and TV series, world stars, or American freedom, the desire of citizens of any nation or state to strive for America has led to the emergence of the term "American dream." Since I was little, I have watched American series, sitcoms, and movies, and dreamed of seeing this country. I am infinitely grateful to the Work&travel USA program, which, God willing, is giving me the opportunity to fulfill this dream. Along with seeing the country and the land, I also have the goal of working and earning money. By getting a job and interacting directly with people, I could improve my English speaking and expand my vocabulary. At the same time, I want to tell them about the customs, traditions, national patterns, history, cultural and literary life, and peculiarities of my country, which is unfamiliar to them, and show them that there is a country called Kazakhstan. If I pass the program requirements without obstacles, I want to take Kazakhstan chocolate and kurt-cheese with me and give them to the new friends I will make abroad.
I have heard a lot about wonderful places like Niagara Falls, Disneyland, the Harry Potter store, the Hollywood sign, and the Statue of Liberty; I have seen them a lot in movies and from bloggers, and I dreamed that one day I would go. If God wills that I set foot in those places and see them with my own eyes, I would call it the most memorable and wonderful period of my life.
Living on your own for three months thousands of miles away from your homeland really imposes a great responsibility and, I think, makes you grow up. I want to return to my homeland from there with wonderful feelings, energy, enthusiasm, new goals, and fresh ideas. I also have hope that I will get to know the culture of another country, broaden my worldview, and speak English fluently. I also have a personal thought that I will return as one of the young people who is mature in mind, knowledgeable, with formed opinions and views, clear dreams, set goals, self-confident, innovative, and energetic.
How is this program beneficial for my future profession? I am currently mastering the profession of cybersecurity. The United States of America is among the world's leading countries in terms of digitalization. Therefore, I want to learn from the scientific and technical achievements of specialists in America, expand my knowledge about new technological features and innovations, and come up with fresh ideas and new projects that will benefit my country and contribute to it.
And by earning money with my own labor, I could attend a course to prepare for studying for a master's degree in Europe. Since my level of English proficiency will increase significantly after I return, I don't think studying in Europe will cause me much difficulty.
An interesting fact to mention is that my sister's friend met her future husband through this program, and now they are raising their little baby. Of course, this is not my main dream, but different scenarios can happen in life.
In my opinion, this program seems to be completely different in the future. Perhaps a new program called Work&travel Kazakhstan will emerge, and the number of people willing to see and work in our country will increase. Maybe, like the Flex program, an opportunity will be created to exchange with students abroad to work abroad during summer vacations. It would be great if the program organizers contacted foreign universities and gave students the opportunity to attend additional courses and lectures related to their profession.
Basically, the amount of money set to see the USA in two months through this program is not very expensive, because what travelers pay when they go abroad for a week or ten days is equivalent to this amount. However, in these expensive times, many young people cannot afford to participate in this program. We hear that "if you work for a month, you will cover your expenses." Therefore, I have a suggestion that it would be possible to pay 50 percent of the total amount set in the program before going, and the other half after returning. For this, every participating citizen must sign a special contract and comply with legal requirements.
I consider this contest, organized on the basis of the program, a very great opportunity for the participants, and I am especially happy that I have tried my luck and submitted this essay.