Sing the song that only you can sing, write the book that only you can write, build the product that only you can build... Don't listen to the critics and don't follow the crowd. Listen to your own voice – Naval Ravikant

It has long been held that we are all special and something great lives inside our soul. This includes you. Making the choice to find your voice, to sing the song you were meant to sing, is the greatest gift and accomplishment possible.

While it is true that one can only start their “journey of a thousand miles with one small step (Lau Tzu)” it must start from the place in which you stand. If you live in Toledo, Ohio, then that is where you must start; If you live in Hyderabad, India, that is where you must start. However, where you land is the place where you can find your greatest self.

Your journey, your destiny, your greatness is a gift that is your greatest accomplishment. You cannot be Arianna Grande, Michael Jackson, or Bad Bunny. You can, however, be you.

Perhaps, and likely true, choosing to study and work in the United States provides a vast array of opportunities, experiences, and excitement. Self-discovery through education and career exploration are irreplaceable.

You are commended for taking the first step. After all, your greatness is a gift for others as well. As T. Moe Cruz noted in the movie Coach Carter, attributed to Mandela, Marianne Williamson’s treatise has much gusto. She wrote:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others – Marianne Williamson

Studying and working in America is a strong, exciting, and powerful statement of dedication and ambition. Welcome to America where opportunities abound!!!

To enroll in higher education in America is an exciting pathway to achieving a dream, learning from the best the world has to offer, and carve out your career pathway. The United States 1931 mantra of being the “land of opportunity,” as coined by American author, James Adams, rings true today but at a global level. The American Dream is synonymous with social and economic mobility and related to its depth, breadth, and diversity of career choice.

In the past few years, the “Dream” has been the leader in the construction of a global village. The world, according to famous author, Thomas Friedman (2005) is flat and the interconnectedness of diverse populations comes to life here. People travel, immigrate, and study in the United States to experience the innovative and magnificence of life in such a dynamic place. Just last year, according to the NCES.ed.gov website, over 15.4 million undergraduates and 3.5 million graduate students entered the hallowed halls of higher education in the United States.

Why did nearly 20 million students study in America?

The answer is easy. Expectations are high, experiences are broad and wide, and the excitement of pursuing a dream has magnificent appeal. Whether one is in search of a career in software engineering, peering from the Empire State Building over New York City, or relaxing in a Rocky Mountain hideaway. Opportunities abound and the culture fosters an ethic of excellence.

While choosing a major, earning good grades, and attending classes are vastly important to the college experience, American education is expressly designed to foster great dreams and social mobility.

Internships have long been a mainstay for students to enter into the job market through the attainment of hands-on experience, networking, and internships. Entry into a wonderfully dynamic labor market requires leveraging relationships and experience. For international students, Curriculum Practicum Training offers entry into the great nexus of work and study in, perhaps, the most vast and innovative economy in the world.

As has been highly documented, a college degree is a doorway into a broader labor market, income opportunities, and lifelong friendships. For students who arrive from other countries, education in America is a sense of pride, stability, and upward mobility.

Mark Patterson noted:

The best education you will ever get is traveling. Nothing teaches you more than exploring the world and accumulating experiences.

Amal Clooney wrote:

Cross-cultural learning and studying abroad can be transformative.

The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it – Michelangelo

Obtaining an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited American university is a great foundation from which to build. Building the right infrastructure at the right college or university can, and will, set the trajectory of your life in motion. Shooting for the highest star will provide the greatest investment in your long-term quality of life.

It is not easy. American colleges and universities take pride in their reputations, accreditation, and production of outstanding community member graduates. There is a lot of homework to do, classes to attend, and long hours attempting to understand complex material . It is necessary.

If the treasures of a great career were easy to obtain, everyone would be wealthy, healthy, and wise. Success is built upon effort, building strong relationships, and leveraging the resources that colleges and universities have to offer. They are a bastion of “higher” education for a reason and that it to create opportunities to challenge your limits.

Yes, the expectations are high. And, yes, taking each little step and a daily basis and creating atomic habits are glorious. Your quest for a college degree and work experience in America is a great dream; your success is based upon you.

You own your future but you must make a choice to walk in the direction of your dreams.

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler – Henry David Thoreau

Almost by definition, you will grow while studying and working in the United States. You are going to meet amazing people. You will find professors who mold your world view and, in some instances, will change your life and worldview. One thing is for certain, your experiences will be unforgettable.

From the moment you land at the airport to the day you graduate with a degree, your mind will shift, bend, and your worldview will grow. It is an exciting time; it can be a scary time. But, assuredly, it will be the time of your life.

Welcome to America and welcome to a new step in allowing your greatness to find its song and your eyes to see opportunity. As Henry Miller proclaimed:

One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.

Studying and working in America awaits!!!