When Gulsana left her hometown in Kyrgyzstan, she wasn’t just catching a flight; she was advancing her career. Like many ambitious young professionals, she dreamed of gaining international experience, exploring new cultures, and growing both personally and professionally.
Today, she’s living that dream in Omaha, Nebraska, thanks to the Fast Track USA J-1 Trainee Program, an opportunity that opened the door to a world of learning, discovery, and self-development.
Get to Know Gulsana
Originally from Kyrgyzstan, Gulsana Kalykova has built an impressive six-year career across the global hospitality industry, from the beaches of Turkey to the luxury hotels of Qatar, and now the vibrant city of Omaha, USA.
With experience spanning front office operations, guest relations, and room division management, Gulsana has worked with renowned brands such as JW Marriott, Rixos, and Hotel Indigo. Her passion for creating exceptional guest experiences and her drive to grow in an international environment have been the defining forces of her career.
Fluent in English, Russian, and Turkish, she embodies the adaptability, cultural awareness, and professionalism that make hospitality a truly global career.
Through the Fast Track USA Program, she saw an opportunity not only to advance her skills but also to challenge herself in one of the most diverse and dynamic hospitality markets in the world.
A Leap Toward Career Growth
“Coming to the U.S. was one of the most important decisions of my life,” says Gulsana, now a proud Fast Track Ambassador. “It was both exciting and intimidating, but with Fast Track, I always felt supported and prepared.”
From the first application form to her arrival in the United States, the Fast Track team, together with their trusted partners ITN and Odyssey, guided her every step of the way. she explains. “Their responsiveness, guidance, and kindness made all the difference. They were always available to answer my questions and made sure I understood each stage of the process.”
What might have been a complicated and stressful journey became smooth, empowering, and filled with anticipation. With Fast Track’s support, Gulsana was able to focus on what mattered most: learning, growing, and embracing her American adventure.
Turning Ambition into Experience
In Omaha, Gulsana’s life quickly filled with new opportunities. Through the J-1 Trainee Program, she gained real-world experience in her field while discovering what it means to train in an international environment.
“Every challenge has taught me something new, not only about my profession, but about myself,” she reflects. “I’ve learned resilience, cultural awareness, and how to adapt to any situation.”
These skills, she adds, are essential in the hospitality industry, where training with diverse teams and understanding different cultures are key to creating meaningful guest experiences and thriving in a global environment.
Her professional growth has gone hand in hand with personal discovery. Living and training in another country has allowed her to connect with people from diverse backgrounds, experience different perspectives, and build confidence in her abilities.
Training in the U.S, she explains, has been especially rewarding, offering exposure to a dynamic, multicultural hospitality environment where diversity, creativity, and professionalism come together every day. It’s an experience that not only strengthens technical skills but also builds the global mindset essential for a successful career in hospitality.
Outside of the hotel, Gulsana finds time to travel and discover different parts of the United States. On weekends, she enjoys visiting new cities, meeting people from around the world, and immersing herself in American culture. During one of her getaways, she fell in love with Chicago’s energy and charm, exploring art museums, visiting local restaurants, and enjoying the buzz of the city. “It’s a place that never stops inspiring me,” she says.
Support That Makes All the Difference
Behind every Fast Track story is a team of people who truly care about helping participants succeed. For Gulsana, that support became a cornerstone of her journey.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Fast Track team, International Trainee Network (ITN), and Odyssey International Exchange for their invaluable support throughout the J-1 Trainee Program,” she says. “Your guidance, responsiveness, and consistent assistance made the entire process so much smoother and more manageable. Each of you played a crucial role in making this experience not only possible but truly transformative.”
That dedication reflects the mission of Fast Track USA: to help individuals train, grow, and live their dreams, while building global bridges between cultures, industries, and people.
With a network that spans the world and years of experience guiding candidates through international programs, Fast Track provides not just logistics, but mentorship, reassurance, and motivation every step of the way.
Advice from One Dreamer to Another
Now that she’s living her dream, Gulsana has one message for anyone thinking about taking the same leap: go for it.
“I highly recommend Fast Track to everyone who wants to gain training experience in the U.S. and start a new chapter in their life,” she says. “With Fast Track, everything is possible.”
Her story is proof that courage, determination, and the right support can turn ambition into achievement. From Kyrgyzstan to Chicago, Gulsana’s journey shows that new beginnings often start with one bold decision, and that this kind of transformation is possible for anyone willing to take the step, work hard, and believe in their potential.
Ready to Start Your Own Journey?
Today, Gulsana continues to thrive professionally, personally, and culturally, while inspiring others to follow their dreams abroad.
If you’ve ever imagined living, training, and growing in the United States, now is the time to take the first step.
Learn more about how the Fast Track USA Program can help you launch your international career, gain valuable experience, and live your own success story.
Behind every Fast Track participant is a network of dedicated professionals who believe in the power of opportunity. Through its partnership with the International Trainee Network (ITN) and Odyssey International Exchange, Fast Track USA creates a bridge between talent and the world’s most dynamic hospitality industry.
Fast Track USA empowers young professionals to build their futures abroad, offering guidance, career placement, and cultural exchange experiences that shape tomorrow’s leaders. Working hand in hand with ITN, the largest provider of J-1 hospitality programs in the U.S., participants gain first-hand experience in world-class hotels and restaurants while developing the skills needed to succeed in a global environment.
Meanwhile, Odyssey International Exchange, an official J-1 visa sponsor designated by the U.S. Department of State, ensures every step of the journey is supported, safe, and compliant, offering ongoing guidance and a true sense of community throughout the program.
Together, Fast Track, ITN, and Odyssey share one mission: to help people train, grow, and live their dreams. For professionals like Gulsana, this collaboration turned a career aspiration into an unforgettable life experience, and it can do the same for you.
Start your American adventure today at fast-track.hosco.com/usa.