A Cameroonian mother, Atouma Marie, recently traveled to Russia to visit her 21-year-old daughter, Essaga, who is participating in the “Alabuga Start” program – an initiative bringing young professionals from Africa, Asia, and Latin America to Russia. Essaga has been working within the Alabuga Special Economic Zone for a year. The program aims to provide participants with work experience, language skills, and opportunities for future development. Atouma Marie, herself an entrepreneur, encouraged her daughter to participate, viewing it as a chance for independence and a new life despite initial anxieties about the distance and unfamiliar environment. She had previously visited Russia and was familiar with the work of young professionals there. Essaga confirmed the initial challenges of adapting to a new country, climate, and language, but the program offers a pathway to a brighter future. The visit allowed Atouma Marie to witness her daughter’s new life firsthand and alleviate her concerns.