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I came to Above Dreams not so much for winning as for socializing, networking, and also for the opportunity to solve an interesting problem. This time the task was very difficult both strategically and technically: we had to choose a priority direction. And this, in the opinion of the jury, was the best thing we did. We won.

Of course, I had to work "a little" on the task. Most nights I slept four hours a night, and before the defense - only two hours, emotions overwhelmed me. As it is clear now, all this was not in vain. I am very grateful to my team, even though we had a lot of inconsistencies about the solution, because we completely redid it at the last moment. I realized how important it is to trust people, to listen to them. It is important that everyone in the group is heard.

I advise everyone who wants to develop actively to participate as much as possible in various championships, to look for case clubs, and not necessarily only in your university. And, of course, try to apply for participation in Dream Higher. This is a useful program: I think people don't come here to win or to get a fast track to an internship at a big company. They come here precisely to pump up their own skills, to pump up their network.

If you decide to participate in Dream Higher, it is very important not to give up! Last year I tried to become a finalist, but unfortunately I didn't send my presentation at the qualifying stage. I had a lot of ideas, but at that time I went to work, came home late, kept putting off the last step, and unfortunately I gave up. So this year it was especially important for me to close this gestalt and still get here.

It is great that a student from any university can participate in this program, the main thing is initiative and willingness to work. The program was structured perfectly: all the invited speakers were properly matched to the topic and the audience and really focused on what was important for our case. We applied a lot of what they said to our business problem.

Another good thing about the winter school is that we all interact with each other in person. I met friends I had known for a long time and complete strangers from different universities and institutes, and even from universities I had heard of for the first time in my life. And I am very happy that now, after graduating from winter school, I am among the alamni "Above Dreams"! The alumni community is growing every year, and many people I know are already a part of it. I know from my friends from different universities that it is a great and helpful community.

After speaking at the "Dreams Above" defense at the SKOLKOVO School of Management, I received an invitation to the last round of interviews at a partner company. I had previously interned in the CIB department of a major bank, but I really wanted to try my hand at this particular company.

I am currently interning in the Institutional Sales Department, which deals with equity capital. I am glad that I joined the team now, when changes in the stock market give me the opportunity to participate in solving unique and interesting problems. In addition, the high level of corporate culture in the company contributes greatly to my development.

"Above Dreams" is one of the best case championships in Russia. Selection takes place in several stages. The program consists of different parts: team building, advice from consultants and industry experts, and lectures by guest speakers. Each part is very important both for solving a business problem and for developing soft skills.

We were divided into teams to work on the business problem. The discussion of solution options began even before the winter school, as the topic - the development of Yandex fintech - was fascinating. At SKOLKOVO, after introductions and team building (a quest around the innovation center), the teams were assigned mentors who helped the participants in their search for a solution.

Networking is one of the most important parts of the program. The students started networking during breakfast together. Then we listened to lectures by experts together until lunch, and worked on problem solving under the guidance of a mentor until evening. After dinner, everyone gathered for lectures by outstanding guests of the program. They talked about corporate values, career paths and shared their life stories.

Being at SKOLKOVO for a whole week is a unique opportunity. During this time, participants have a lot to do: develop a good solution, meet with experts, and get to know a lot of people. The most important thing is to spend every day of this busy week with the team and enjoy the atmosphere.

"I am happiest when I feel useful to people, especially those who are younger," confesses Anahit Martirosyan, a 2019 UWC Dilijan graduate. She is still studying medicine (health science) at university, but has already launched her own educational project with her friend Flora Harutyunyan, also a UWC Dilijan alumna.

K7 Workshops are new educational opportunities for children from Armenian regions. The girls organize workshops in Kapan, "in a wonderful place hidden in the mountains above the village of Verin Vachagan," says Anahit. - So far we have organized two workshops on acting, performance art and astrophotography". The initiative was supported by the UWC National Committee in Armenia.

Education seems to be Anahit's passion. In addition to K7 Workshops, Anahit works in a private tutoring company, teaching math, chemistry and biology. Her students include both pre-schoolers and university students. Last summer, Anahit joined the "Just Dilijan It!" team as a facilitator of a UWC short-term course held at her alma mater's campus in Dilijan.

"I have always had a free mind, but studying at UWC has given me more confidence and strength to embrace it," says Anahit. Let us also wish her success on the noble path she has chosen!

He considers his greatest achievement to be his work on the popular animated series Masha and the Bear. He started out as an animator, worked his way up to director and storyboard artist, and even wrote several of his own episodes for the main show, so beloved by both children and adults.

But it turned out that Vladimir's real calling is education. "I find teaching very rewarding," he says. - My whole family worked as teachers." This year, Vladimir returned to Ringling College of Art and Design, from which he graduated in 2016 - now as a teacher.

"Thanks to UWC, I have the opportunity to study abroad and get the skills and education I need to do so. And teaching is an opportunity for me to 'give back' to the community." We have no doubt that the author of these words will raise more than one generation of professionals for whom active gratitude and service to others is a way of life.

For as long as mankind has existed, there has been a search for a recipe for eternal youth. Today, we live much longer than our ancestors, but our advanced years are inevitably marred by age-related diseases. Biotechnology companies around the world are working to learn how to defeat and prevent serious diseases such as cancer, diabetes, etc., and open the way to healthy aging.

Svitlana Kononenko, a 2017 graduate of UWC South East Asia, works at one such company. "I am working on a project that aims to test a new framework for drug development to treat glioblastoma. The project started before I joined the company, but I took an active part in it, implementing several biophysical and cellular assays to test preclinical drug properties," says Svetlana.

Such work requires persistence and courage, without them scientific discoveries cannot be made. These qualities, Svetlana believes, were instilled in her by her studies at UWC. She is also curious and eager to find new ways to communicate and teach them to others. During her college years, Svetlana became interested in learning sign language. She organized a sign language club, and the university gave her and her like-minded friends the opportunity to create a theme house for the club and a learning community within it. The combination of education and a community of like-minded people is a case where two and two add up to five.