Chapter 2 - The Exam (Girl who changed my life book)

Chapter 2 - The Exam (Girl who changed my life book)

I spent a few days taking grueling tests and waiting in line for my turn to play in front of the judges. There were also written tests and ear-training tests. After 1 year of preparations, and non stop practicing, tears, and missing my mom - I did not get in.

I did not get in. 

But I was placed on the waiting list. Meaning that out of the two to three spots available for my grade, I did not make the final cut. However, if there had been more openings, they might have accepted me. The waiting list also meant that if someone who had been accepted dropped out, I could be admitted. If no one dropped out, they wanted me to come back the following year and try again. I was not as strong as the other students who were accepted. They simply chose the best.

Then my bittersweet wish came true by miracle, not really. I was accepted into one of the most prestigious schools for gifted children in Ukraine, in the capital city of Kyiv - but not entirely on my own merit. Very powerful people helped me get in. The truth is that my mom got involved with a very powerful man in Ukraine who was a Professor of a prestigious Polytechnique University, Also part of the KGB and with ties to the Ukrainian Government. He had power, and he called the school and told them that I should get in. That created shame in me. Part of me felt happy and part of me felt guilty that I took someone else's spot. I told my mom it was not fair and I never wanted to take anyone’s spot. But my mom said that everyone who got in had help.

And 10 years old, I became a third-grade student in the top school of Ukraine. ( I was supposed to be in the 4th grade, but they put me in the third grade because there were no spots in the 4th grade). I got in by magical phone call from a powerful man. That’s it.