Kansas City: Travel guide, prices and free housing · 2026

AKAryna KhinevichDec 20, 2022Read

An Unexpected Journey… Am I in a movie? That was exactly what I thought about when landing in Chicago…I thought that I would feel completely different being on another continent, 9000 miles from home. From the day I landed in Chicago, I was in a movie, which I didn’t expect to become a part of. I remember the day I left home… I remember the unforgettable feeling of fresh air touching my face when I stepped out of the door that day. Carrying two big suitcases with me and pretending as if I were a strong muscular guy. I looked at the bright blue sky and all I could feel was freedom and a strange feeling of something completely unknown coming into my life. I remember being silent when my uncle drove me to the airport as well as I could feel my mom’s stare at me all the way. I couldn’t say anything. I was just looking at my country’s beautiful landscapes in the window and thinking: «How on Earth can I handle 3 flights being completely alone...?» I remember the realization of full responsibility for myself I felt when saying goodbye to my mom at the airport. I was on my own then, which was both the best and the hardest part of my journey. But, wait, what journey? My Global UGRAD journey. I will never have enough words to describe how grateful I am to be a Global UGRAD Alumni. And I will never be tired of telling people why they have to apply for that program. That’s probably my job now. Simply to tell people that they can. That they can leave all the fears and insecurities behind. Why did I decide to take part in the Global UGRAD Program? This opportunity came to me by accident. One of my friends posted it on social media, I saw that and something clicked in me right away. I just felt in my heart that I cannot let my inner child down as I will simply regret if I don’t give it all a shot. So I did. I gave it a shot and it worked out. That’s why I am here, telling people that they can do it too. To be honest, the application process for Global UGRAD was kind of scary for a freshman girl that I was then. It seemed complicated to get my transcript from the dean’s department as exchange programs are hardly encouraged at my university. Another quest was to ask the professors to write recommendation letters for me as well as to find the inspiration needed for making a decent essay. I didn’t know what to expect after I had submitted my application form. I was just patiently waiting and hoping that something was awaiting for me. And it actually was. I remember how much joy and excitement I felt when a person from the US Embassy in Minsk called me and invited me for an interview, which took place about three weeks later. I successfully passed an interview, then took my TOEFL exam and eventually became a finalist of Global UGRAD Program. The program coordinators placed me in Emporia State University, which I am truly thankful for. However, when I first received a message from them, telling me that I was placed in Emporia, I got really disappointed… Why? I simply looked this town up in browser and it showed me that it’s a small town in Kansas with the population of 25.000 people. So, the only thought that came to my mind was: «Well, okay mom, I am gonna end up in that village…» Actually, I am glad I didn’t have any expectations, as when I got there, that «village» showed me the brightest life I could ever imagine. I can recall exactly what I felt when my plane landed in Chicago… Another continent, another people, another mentality. I thought I’d be completely alone there, without any friends. That’s the reason I was anxiously planning my solo trip to New York, having no clue that I would meet so many soulmates to explore it all together. I remember myself wandering at KCI( Kansas City International Airport) after my third flight and looking there for people who were supposed to take me to Emporia. And already there, right at the airport, I met a cute Korean girl, who then became my best friend. We were talking all the way to Emporia and it see