My essays

What springs to your mind when you hear the word "Greece"? Appealing sandy beaches, sparkling sea, or elegant olive trees? Among this heaven-like nature, the Greek land hides a mighty mountainous wonder, called Meteora. Unlike soaking up the sunshine on a beach, reaching Meteora summits can be a challenging experience but it will definitely pay off with otherworldly views from atop and the serenity of the monasteries that found their shelter inside age-old mountain pillars.

Exactly this happened to me when terribly bored with the leisurely lifestyle of a Greek hotel, I decided to venture to Meteora, a traditional one-day trip offered to tourists. On a boiling summer day, our coach was moving cautiously along the narrow serpentine roads. Even though the journey could have seemed long and tedious, idyllic scenery with peacefully grazing cows and bright green fields enlivened it. Finally, from far away I could recognize majestic silhouettes of mountain boulders that seemed to be even more powerful in the juxtaposition to the calm flatness of nearby fields.

Not surprisingly though, that we had to climb hundreds of built-in steps to ascend to one of the Meteora pillars. On the way, we were admiring the views of neighboring rock towers, and the degree of excitement was running higher with every new step. Having reached the summit of the mountain, we were nearly dazzled by the ravishingly blooming flowers inside the monastery yard. Feeling like hermits, who found their serenity among the natural majesty, we were looking from atop and saw no signs of humans, except for the tiny monasteries nesting so delicately inside the mountain pillars like a natural part of this place.

The significance of Meteora resides precisely in this pristine natural beauty, to enjoy which you should go a long way, and the highest peak would reveal to you all the enormousness and harmony of nature. Such experiences are meant to build close bonds between humans and natural wonders, thereby encouraging people to value them as an unprecedented gift.

Powerfully moving. This is the impression you are left with as you turn the last page of «Promise at dawn», a compelling novel by Romain Gary. An autobiographical gem, it has been screened recently, inviting viewers to immerse into an evocative narrative about affectionate mother's love that led her son to greatness.

The story unfolds in Europe at the dawn of the II World War and depicts an eventful wandering of a single mother Nina and her beloved son Romain. Demonstrating all the ingredients of a tear-jerking drama — world hostility, family misery, and a fight for a place in the sun — the film, nevertheless, delights the viewer with light-hearted humorous plot twists. Take a hilarious scene of the opening of Nina's tailor shop in Paris where she introduces a disguised beggar to the beau monde as a famous couturier — with a single aim to receive orders and provide a wealthy life for her son.

The boundless energy of Nina, brilliantly and fervently performed by Charlotte Gainsbourg, moves the family throughout the world. Not only Poland, but also Paris and Nice in France, England, and even Africa become a background for their misfortunes as well as successes. We observe the elegance of the Parisian life, dive into a heartwarming sun of southern France, and witness desperately jubilant soldiers in England before their departure to a war zone. Along with these geographical movements we see how Romain evolves — from a little boy to a war hero and a well-established writer. Pier Naney, taking the part of Romain, displays convincingly amplitude of feelings, ranging from son's tenderness and bursts of rebelliousness to fierce bravery on a battlefield.

Needless to say, that screening a novel, where such an unprecedented emphasis on the inner world of the characters is placed, might be a daunting task for filmmakers. In «Promise at dawn», to viewers' delight, the material of the book is approached attentively and skillfully, which makes this film well worth repeated viewings.

Dear Sir or Madame,

In response to your request to nominate the Entrepreneur of Modern Times, I would wholeheartedly recommend Chris Andersen, the curator of the world-renowned TED conferences. Disseminating illuminating ideas around the globe, TED events contribute enormously to the world's well-being, which is a testament to Mr. Andersen being an indisputable nominee for the award.

With billions of views, TED's online platform colligates video recordings of numerous presentations delivered live by luminaries, trailblazers, and advocates for change all over the world. It is with the intention to spread cutting-edge knowledge for a good cause that TED conferences have been created. What captures the imagination is the diversity of topics presented, which vary from exploring the realm of the human psyche to advancing improvements to the social fabric. Not limited to its major conferences, TED initiatives comprise the support of locally led TEDx events along with the educational website, all of which aim at spreading life-changing insights to every corner of the world.

Far from being packed with dry scientific data, TED presentations move minds and hearts through emotional speeches, enlivened by biographical narratives, succinct and masterfully polished to make them relatable to every viewer. Rather than merely stating research findings, stories presented on stage inspire shifts in mindsets, such as the perception of the disabled, or transform behavioral patterns subsequently leading, for example, to the betterment of educational routines at schools. Given the myriad of current complexities, both on human and planetary scales, the mission of TED to embrace every possible issue deserves the broadest recognition.

The final proof to support the nominee could be the power of ideas which more often than not bring about radical changes, as it was the case with particular TED presenters, succeeding in initiating amendments to their countries' legislation. All of that was underpinned by the TED's global coverage and convincingly performed presentations, thoroughly curated by Chris Anderson, whose candidature does not leave any doubt as to his nomination as the Entrepreneur of Modern Times.

Yours faithfully,
Natalya Skachkova

Introduction

This report outlines the beneficial and ill effects of mobile phone use in public venues, including shopping and dining facilities as well as on means of transportation. Specifically, it evaluates the impact of mobile telephony on a person's rest and socialization along with emotional states of people in proximity. The final section suggests recommendations aimed at placing a constraint on the excessive use of technological devices.

Effects on individual

Based on the interviews conducted among visitors to department stores and cafes, it could be concluded that mobile phones exert both favorable and unfavorable impacts on the quality of leisure time and social connections. With regards to a rest, it seems beneficial for more than half of respondents to resort to interaction with various forms of online content on their devices while being alone in public venues. On the contrary, the unrestrained use of technology in the presence of interlocutors divests phone users of genuine human connections whereby causing adverse ramifications for relationships.

Effects on people around

The implications of excessive mobile use for surrounding people proved to be disruptive in all respects with the three most wide-spread cases of misuse reported. Those included distracted driving, when a driver is making a call or texting while being behind the wheel; unacceptably loud phone conversations in checkout lines; and finally, a phone use by pedestrians on sidewalks resulting in bumping not only into passers-by but also adjacent road signs.

Recommendations

In order to rule out the mobile phone misuse in public spaces as well as transport, it would be highly advisable to impose strict rules of conduct and reinforce them with fines for a breach. As an initial step, it is vital that phone users be entirely aware of the established norms through announcements in public areas. Once these measures have been implemented, the disadvantageous effects of excessive mobile phone use could be neutralized.

Dear Sir or Madam,

Being an avid reader of your magazine, I was greatly delighted to have seen the invitation for readers to share their accounts of new experiences they have had. My first participation in yoga practice made an indelible impression on me because of its healing power for my body and mind. Even more, I still feel its lasting life-enhancing effects about which I would much love to tell the readership.

The yoga class I attended was organized by my former employer, seemingly in response to high degrees of stress that employees were exposed to. It is a well-known fact that this ancient art of sequencing poses cultivates the calm state of mind — the compelling benefits that we definitely gained during the practice. However, assuming certain postures was quite a challenge, especially those that required muscle strength and body flexibility, Even so, being able to master them was enormously rewarding. Along with stretching and bending, we were introduced to breath-controlling exercises which proved pleasantly soothing for my overwhelmed mind.

I must admit before stepping into yoga practice I was a bit apprehensive about its physical demands. What encouraged me to overcome these concerns was the acclaimed harmony that yoga brings to life. I am absolutely positive that this mindset helped me cope with some demanding postures throughout the practice. All my worries left behind, I experienced the moments of sheer bliss while, for example, standing on my bent arms with my legs high up.

More importantly, the effects of yoga go beyond the class with an instructor. After having left a sports centre, I was walking on air all the way to the office. Even more, the calmness discovered during the class remained with me throughout the whole day, despite the chaos of the office life. From that time on, with the constant practice at home, not only have I improved my flexibility and built muscle strength but also reached a more positive outlook on life and developed the permanent calmness of the mind.

Yours faithfully,
Natalya Skachkova

Dear Sir or Madame,

The call for sharing information about community projects, recently published in your magazine, encouraged me to write about an inspirational initiative I am aware of. «Moscow longevity», this is the name of the project, aims at redefining of what it means to be the elderly in the modern world. Since the thought of growing old is unavoidable for every reader, this experience could be of universal interest.

What the project exactly does is raising the life standard of senior Muscovites through providing various activities, such as sport clubs, university courses, digital literacy training, drama classes and many more. Only with joint efforts of social services, businesses, academia and volunteering organizations could such a large-scale initiative be implemented. Indeed, the range of programmes on offer ensures that every citizen enhances their wellbeing in all the possible respects. With the dedicated platform, the choice of a relevant educational event, be it a skiing session, a painting class or a lecture on healthy nutrition, could be done with ease. Last but not least, all the activities are available for pensioners at no cost.

Were it not for the «Moscow longevity», thousands of the elderly would be leading bleak lives of social seclusion compounded by looming frailty. Given the soaring rise of aging population all over the world, the need for equivalent initiatives is increasingly critical. It is acknowledged that mental and physical impairment is likely to stave off once retirees are engaged in leisurely sport activities, undemanding intellectual work and, most importantly, meaningful social interaction. There is no disputing that the Moscow project serves this purpose well, providing a wealth of opportunities for the elderly to tackle inactivity and alleviate loneliness.

Having the best interests of seniors at heart, this social initiative not only reverses the trend of deteriorating life quality among the elderly but also secures fulfilling lives for future generations. Its extended benefits, such as increased health span, mental agility and a cultivated sense of belonging, are the right causes worth uniting for.

Yours faithfully,
Natalya Skachkova

To pore over theoretical treatises for years or plunge into the practical basics of a in-demand job? These are two essentially different pathways that school-leavers are exposed to. The first route, leading to a university degree, sought-after by many, is examined and set on pedestal by the first author, whereas the second text advocates for apprenticeships which offer first-hand experience and stable employment.

Claiming the universal appeal of the academic degrees, the first author speculates around the ongoing shifts in tertiary education, pointing out at the rising demand for international qualifications as well as the digitalization of instruction. While one can hardly deny the growing digital component in curriculums with seminars conveniently run online, the premise of the assertion about the increase in number of international students appears fallacious. Specifically, the easiness of international travel does not imply the affordability of tuition fees, the level of which might obstruct a majority of students from considering this option.

Even if a degree is obtained, a graduate could be prone to low employability, as are thousands of others entering the labour market, unable to compete with established professionals. The viable alternative to this could represent apprenticeships, favoured by the second author. Undoubtedly, the ability to embark on a stable career right after the school graduation and acquire applied competencies is likely to tip the scale when it comes to an apprenticeship scheme, especially for those who are not academically inclined.

After all, it is entirely up to a school graduate to decide whether to opt for attaining higher education, be it on-campus or online, or becoming a practitioner of a trade. Whatever the choice may be, it seems to be backed up by the specific aspects, such as the prestige of an academic degree or the practical nature of apprenticeship.

Many countries aim to improve their living standard by economic development, but some important social values are lost as a result.

Do you think advantages of economic development outweigh disadvantages?

Economic growth is largely regarded by numerous countries as the basis for improving the quality of life. The merits of supporting businesses, such as an increase in the number of workplaces, would contribute to future well-being of nations. Having said that, there could be a potential risk that cultural and educational fields might well be neglected. Despite this drawback, I believe that the thriving economy is fundamental because societal fields depend significantly on the countries' financial capacities.

A praiseworthy aspect of focusing on economic prosperity is the sustainable development of local companies owing to the state support. For example, taxation privileges or governmental grants could keep emerging companies afloat. Not only would it maintain vulnerable startups, but it will ensure that numerous vacancies appear in the job market, thus providing citizens with a stable income. As a result, workforce will be able to cover the costs of schooling for their offspring as well as tuition fees for their profession training. This proves that a financial factor can be more advantageous in comparison with temporary lack of attention to social structures.

However, the flaws of such a strategy could be the under-budgeting of educational institutions. For example, state schools tend to charge small fees, if any. As a result, without governmental support they will not be able to provide high quality material, hire professional instructors and modernize educational facilities. Yet, the required backing can come from taxation payments collected from an increasing number of large and small businesses.

In conclusion, it would seem that, despite the significance of funding educational institutions, the economic advancement has advantage over social improvements as the additional job placements and profits taxes would provide both government and individuals with essential resources to meet instructional needs.