I definitely see the value in cultural exchange. First of all, this experience introduced me a new vision in the IT area. I also had a chance to extend my professional network. I made friends from all around the world by joining this program. I would say that this program helped me to become a citizen of the world.

My exchange program improved my opinion of the U.S. and its people. I met one of my best friends while I was in U.S. and he is American. It was a nice opportunity to get to know the American culture and people.

I was also able to share my culture while on my program. There were a lot of people in my host company from all over the world. This is very unique and important experience in today’s world.

After my program in California, I moved to Ukraine and worked there for 3 years as a software developer. I believe training & living in U.S. brought this opportunity since the company was looking for a software developer with a high English level and experience working abroad.

After three years in Ukraine, I decided to experience something new and found a chance to work for Accenture which is one of the biggest consulting companies in the world. Again, it was really important to have strong English and business skills to be part of Accenture, and I believe my U.S. experience played a major role in my Accenture experience. I worked for Accenture 2 years in Izmir, Turkey as a Software Engineering Team Leader.

I moved back to Ukraine recently and I am working for one of the biggest mobile operators in Ukraine as a Software Engineer.

My primary expectation from my exchange program was to gain American business life experience which would be a huge plus for my career. It was also a good opportunity to meet with people from different cultures.

Through my program, I found out that I can work abroad, make contributions to the host community, and create a new life in a country where I did not live before.

Cultural exchange is one of the most effective ways for people to integrate with foreign communities. I believe cultural exchange will be a necessity in the future rather than an option because the world we are living in is going to be an entirely different place in terms of technology, art and humanity due to the effects of the globalization on our daily lives.

As the borders between countries are get thinner day by day in today’s globalized world, It is necessary to get rid of the borders in our minds in order to understand the future of the humanity. Being a world citizen plays the major role in this manner because we are the ones who would influence the people around us by sharing our cultural exchange experiences. We represent the idea that cultural differences actually enhance a community instead of destroying it. Diversity is what we need to understand each other.

Utku Feruz

Software Engineer | J-1 Alumnus | Global Citizen