1. Your reason for applying to this program: What specifically do you wish to gain through studying and living in the U.S. for one year? What do you believe will be the greatest benefits to you personally? How do your goals for the program specifically relate to your long-term goals?

I have a lot of reasons for applying to this program. I’m currently studying at the university, and first of all, I think that the educational system in the American colleges will give me a valuable experience for my future life. Studying abroad gives a huge number of opportunities. For example, they are many different courses, clubs delivered by interests and skills, opportunities for research, plus extracurricular activities like sport, dancing, singing and so on. I believe it will help me to get a career I dream about. Secondary, it is a great opportunity for improving my language skills. After year of training in the U.S. I could reach a high level of proficiency in the English. Thirdly, it is the contact with another culture, traditions and customs. When you learn it in real life, through your own experience, you stop seeing the world through the pink glasses. . It’s the best way to fight stereotypes.

2. Your key strengths as a candidate for this program: What makes you a uniquely well suited candidate for the YEAR program? What do you believe will be the greatest challenges of studying abroad in the U.S.? What has prepared you academically and personally for these challenges? Be sure to be as specific as possible.
I don't think I'll face with difficulties. By this moment, I’ve been through a lot of challenges which only tempered my character. For example, now I’m living in other town and my family is far from me. I live alone without any relatives, solve all problems by myself, I never wait for help from the side and do everything on my own. And one more point, last year I missed 2 months of my classes at the university because of the health problems. But nevertheless, I finished that academic year with excellent marks and the problem with my health didn't prevent me from doing my best. To my mind it’s a great quality.

3. Living with a host family: YEAR fellows are largely required to live with American host families. What do you think would be the greatest challenges to living with an American family? What would you expect from your U.S. host family? What experiences have you had in the past that would help you succeed in adapting to life with an American family?
I believe there would be no problems with living with a host family. Moreover, I always find all the challenges exiting. I expect that members of my host-family will be the best people and we will spend fantastic time together. I am very excited to learn their traditions, holidays and interests. As for my background, I have a wide experience of communicating with people. When I’ve begun studying at the university I moved to another town and to this moment I rent a flat with people who used to be unfamiliar to me earlier. But now we are best friends and we spend a lot of time together and also have our favorite common activities.