In March 2023 I ended up having a trip to the USA as one of the winners of ELEX program. During my travel I had posted a few stories about my experience there in Instagram. I had also written a few thoughts in my VK account. However, somehow my blog got ignored. I decided to correct this and set the record straight.

ELEX program 2023 - OVERVIEW

Back in November 2022 I was simply surfing the web and thinking about my next step in the professional development, when I accidentally encountered an invitation to participate in the 2-week exchange programs for teachers and entrepreneurs who would visit Washington DC and Portland, Oregon. The idea to break the daily routine of a working mum sounded absolutely unbelievable but at the same time so appealing that I decided to give it a shot. I compiled all the necessary documents, completed the application and wrote an essay. 

Then silence fell. I even asked a Tarot specialist if I would actually win in this competition (she said that I would, btw). 

In January I was invited for an interview. In a fortnight I was informed about the victory. As soon as I got the letter, the events started rolling out so quickly. I got a vacation from my teaching job. I arranged logistics for my kids with my mom and husband. I had to travel to Armenia twice for anti-COVID vaccination and after that for the second shot and the visa. And in the blink of an eye, I was already sitting on the jet among the group of 22 wonderful teachers and was flying through Istanbul to the country which I had seen for 20 years.

My first trip to the USA happened when I won a student exchange contest in my alma mater college. It was a small local program between two sister cities: Pskov and Roanoke which was sponsored by local group of enthusiasts who provided a studying spot in Ferrum College, VA for international students and paid both for our tuition and our accommodation on campus. I studied there for one semester in 2002, made friends, understood a lot about myself and had a great adventure. More than 20 years passed. I grew up, got married, changed the city, got kids and already paid back a few mortgages, started two successful businesses. I changed. Meanwhile the USA changed as well.

ELEX program was rather intense as we studied in the mornings, had tours or school visits in the afternoon and a bit of free time in the evenings. 

Then we flew to Portland where we also had meetings, tours and attended the conference sessions depending on the sphere of our interests.

Then we returned to Washington and had a few reflection sessions about our trip and experience as well as about our future plans as soon as we come back home.

 TO BE CONTINUED…