Olesia Kyselova, Participant of the Professional Integration HUB 1.0 Program.

• Age: 36 years old
• City in Ukraine where you lived before the full-scale invasion (forced relocation): Kyiv
• Specialization: Project Management

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND 

Before the full-scale invasion, I held a rewarding position as a Project Manager at Laba Group, an EdTech startup based in Ukraine. My primary responsibility was to lead the company’s expansion into the Romanian and Czech markets. I headed a creative team responsible for developing marketing materials and campaigns customized for each target market. This role provided me with the opportunity to apply my project management skills while navigating the complexities of international marketing strategies.

The EdTech landscape in Ukraine is currently experiencing rapid evolution, powered by advancements in technology and a growing emphasis on digital education. Despite the challenges brought about by the war, innovative startups continue to emerge, driven by a shared vision to revolutionize education through technology.

FORCED EMIGRATION

The full-scale war in Ukraine found me at home in Kyiv. Awakening to the sounds of explosions, the seriousness of the situation became clear. My primary concern was my three-year-old son, Phil, and I knew we needed to find safety. Lacking access to a car, finding alternative transportation in the midst the war’s chaos was a significant challenge.

Fortunately, we managed to find the only bus heading to Rivne, in western Ukraine. As we left, the echoes of explosions served as a vivid reminder of the necessity to flee. After arriving in Rivne, we experienced a sense of calmness, offering a break from the chaos of war. With all the uncertainty, we decided to stay with my husband’s cousin in Germany.

Our time in Germany was short. In early April 2022, with assistance from my sister’s employer, who facilitated relocation for displaced families, we found ourselves in Austria. Although Austria wasn’t our original plan, the assurance of safety and stability called out to us, offering hope for a brighter future amid the chaos in our homeland.

LIFE IN AUSTRIA

Adapting to life in Austria presented numerous challenges for my family and me. The biggest problem was the language barrier. Even though a lot of Austrians speak English, getting by day-to-day and dealing with official stuff required learning German. Having to learn a whole new alphabet from scratch made it really tough. Getting used to a different culture and lifestyle was extra hard especially for me. Fortunately, my son quickly picked up German at kindergarten and formed new friendships. However, finding suitable accommodation and understanding systems like healthcare proved to be major challenges.

When it came to finding a job, the biggest challenge was finding one that fit my skills and experience. Despite holding a good position in Ukraine, breaking into the Austrian job market proved difficult due to differences in rules and certifications.

Life in the EU brought both surprises and delights. Public services functioned smoothly, the environment was clean, and overall quality of life was high. We settled in the charming village of Perchtoldsdorf, where a generous Austrian family embraced us warmly, treating us as part of their own. Their kindness touched us deeply, especially when they provided toys and clothes for my son, Phil, demonstrating that in difficult times, people can display remarkable kindness. Our relationship with the apartment owners is excellent; we often get together and help each other. Katrin and Herbert have become like Austrian grandparents to Phil, for which we are immensely grateful.

For fellow Ukrainians living abroad, I advise perseverance and initiative. Mastering the local language is crucial for integration. Making friends with other Ukrainians and using what’s around here can open doors to opportunities. In addition, it’s important to stay flexible and patient when dealing with the ups and downs of life in a new country.

PROFESSIONAL INTEGRATION HUB

I discovered the Professional Integration HUB program through Instagram and decided to take the opportunity. My primary aim was to broaden my knowledge, connect with new people, and get experience in international work environment. The experience exceeded my expectations in every way.

Looking back on my internship, I am really grateful for the chance, especially considering it was my first time working in public sector. Interacting with diverse professionals from various backgrounds enriched my understanding and boosted my confidence. Also, getting to know other Ukrainian professionals in Austria was particularly useful.

While I was working at the Austrian Integration Fund, I led several projects. One remarkable job was organizing a presentation on the latest AI trends worldwide, which I presented during a team meeting. Additionally, I arranged a study visit to the Austrian Integration Fund, successfully managing the event on April 5th, 2024. Seeing these projects go so smoothly, made me feel satisfied.

Working at the Austrian Integration Fund had its tricky parts, especially when it came to setting up cultural events. But my colleagues were always there to help out and that made it a positive and really good place to work.

The most valuable lesson I got from this experience is the importance of seizing opportunities for growth. Taking on new challenges not only expanded my skills but also helped me grow personally and professionally.

PLANS AFTER PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM

Thinking about the future, my internship with the Professional Integration HUB program has really changed my career aspirations. It has broadened my outlook, equipped me with invaluable skills, and made me even more passionate to promote diversity, innovation, and societal impact. I am determined on using what I learned in this internship to start a career in government work. I want to focus on advancing integration, diversity, and inclusive development.

Moreover, my experience in Austria has given me some real-life skills and competencies that can play a vital role in Ukraine’s future reconstruction. For instance, the knowledge I obtained in governmental institutions, particularly in event project management, can be adapted to similar initiatives in Ukraine, setting up cultural and community events.

Furthermore, the connections I made with other professionals and my boosted cross-cultural communication skills will be useful in helping Ukraine work with other countries to make progress.

Series of Interviews with Participants of the Professional Integration HUB Program.

We are starting a series of interviews with the Participants of the Professional Integration HUB 1.0 Program. Each interview reveals the personal story of displaced Ukrainian professionals who have overcome numerous challenges on their path to finding a job in their field in Europe.

We invite you to discover the stories of remarkable Ukrainian women who had the unique opportunity to integrate into the Austrian professional environment thanks to our Program.

• Anastasiia Teslenko, viennacontemporary
• Olesia Kyselova, Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF)
• Olena Tereshchuk, Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF)
• Kateryna Tebiakina, The European Forum Alpbach
• Kateryna Tymoshenko, Caritas Austria
• Krystyna Skorokhod, WIENXTRA
• Daria Driuchenko, The Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, the Civil Service and Sport of Austria
• Mariia Pylypenko, Belvedere Museum
• Maryana Strepko, The Federal Ministry for Education, Science, and Research
• Matilda Cherednichenko, Salzburger Kunstverein
• Nataliya Sherimbetova, WIENXTRA
• Viktoriia Shvaher, Caritas Austria
• Olena Sushkova, ERSTE Foundation

Anastasiia Teslenko, Participant of the Professional Integration HUB internship Program.

• Age: 24 years old
• City in Ukraine where you lived before the full-scale invasion (forced relocation): Kyiv
• Specialization: Social Sciences and Communications

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND 

Before the full-scale invasion, I worked as a creative marketing manager at Welltech, a Ukrainian IT company that creates health and fitness apps.

In Ukraine, it is expected that you have professional work experience by the time you graduate from university. This contrasts with Central Europe, where young people often feel more secure and have the opportunity to explore different career paths and find their professional identity at a more relaxed pace. On one hand, Ukrainian professionals have an impressive CV by the age of 25, but on the other hand, it can be quite stressful due to the need to meet certain societal expectations and maintain a balance between work, life, and study.

FORCED EMIGRATION

I lived in Kyiv, studied psychology at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, and worked remotely for Welltech. I remember feeling stressed because I had so much to do – I needed to pass the Meta Certified Digital Marketing Associate Exam for my job and study for university seminars. However, on February 24th, like every other Ukrainian, I woke up to the sound of explosions, and suddenly none of this seemed to matter anymore. I had to cancel the exam. I received an email from Kyiv-Mohyla Academy informing us that the academic process was paused indefinitely. Everything stood still, and nothing seemed to matter except for human life.

I moved to Austria unexpectedly. My partner was studying in Vienna at the time, and I had a visit planned. Ironically, I even had a plane ticket for February 26. I never used it. Our reality had drastically changed, and from then on, the only planes flying over Ukraine were the ones dropping russian bombs on us. I was supposed to get to Vienna from Boryspil airport in two hours, but instead, it took two days. I remember hesitating whether I should stay in Kyiv or not. 

After one week of the full-scale russian invasion, my friend called me and said that she was going to wait in Warsaw until things got safer. She asked me if I wanted to join her on this “trip.” So, we took an evacuation train to Lviv, then another train to Poland, which stopped in the middle of a field because Ukrainian passenger trains use wider rails than European ones. We could only follow the route for cargo trains. After that, there was a five-hour car trip to Warsaw and finally a train to Vienna. I reached my destination on March 5, which I remember very well. At that time, I truly hoped that the war wouldn’t last long, and that I would return to Kyiv in a month or two.

LIFE IN AUSTRIA 

The primary challenge in Austria was the language barrier. I had never studied German or planned to move to a German-speaking country, so navigating the bureaucratic system without understanding the language was particularly difficult.

Not being able to speak German has certainly limited my work options. During my first year here, I pursued a Master’s degree at Central European University. Even though it is located in Vienna, it is a very multicultural university with English as the lingua franca. However, after graduating, I kept receiving job rejections and realized that speaking German is essential for professional development in Austria.

Living in Vienna is very convenient. The streets are safe, the transport system is amazing, and the city is well-equipped to meet the needs of different people. There are many beautiful buildings that are preserved and cherished, with constant renovations ensuring that no historical heritage falls into decay or gets replaced by new parking lots. On the downside, I still can’t get used to the fact that supermarkets don’t operate on Sundays, and the level of digitalization is quite low compared to Ukraine.

I’ll strongly recommend the Ukrainians living abroad to tell their international friends about Ukrainian culture, as they likely know very little about it. Teach them a few simple words, cook a traditional meal for them, or play a Ukrainian song. We have such an amazing heritage and every reason to be proud of it.

PROFESSIONAL INTEGRATION HUB 

I came across the open call post the Professional Integration HUB program while scrolling through Instagram, and it immediately caught my attention.

I was thrilled to gain my first real job experience in Austria, to meet new people, and to explore deeper the artistic landscape of this country. I can confidently say that all of these expectations were met.

I am delighted to have been a part of the program. It was psychologically reassuring to realize that I wasn’t alone in navigating the challenge of applying professional experience in a new country. Over the course of three months, I had the opportunity to explore numerous exciting places and meet incredibly talented individuals.

One particularly memorable moment occurred during one of our early weekly team meetings at viennacontemporary. The entire office was buzzing with discussions ranging from galleries, artists, curators, and journalists to floor plans and catering arrangements. In that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of happiness to be a part of such a dynamic environment. As someone who has always been passionate about art, being involved in the creation of a large-scale art-sharing event like viennacontemporary was incredibly inspiring.

Working can be fun, especially when tasks like attending gallery openings are part of the job description. More importantly, workplaces that prioritize employee well-being tend to achieve more successful outcomes. Additionally, I’ve come to understand the importance of networking. Building connections with individuals who are professionally or personally intriguing can lead to future collaborations, even if they seem unlikely at first.

The most valuable lesson I’ve learned from the internship is that personal fulfillment and success are closely tied to engaging in activities that you personally find meaningful.

PLANS AFTER PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM

The internship provided clarity to my professional path. Despite having prior experience in communications and marketing at various organizations, I had never worked in the art and culture sector before this internship. Now, I am certain that I want to continue down this path.

We have many creative and talented individuals contributing to Ukraine’s cultural sphere despite challenging circumstances. While some Ukrainian artists are already renowned worldwide, others remain undiscovered by the general public. Our goal is to build bridges and connect Ukrainian cultural workers with their European counterparts. However, this also involves reminding our fellow Ukrainians about the great cultural works we already possess – the writers, poets, dramaturges, and painters who were either persecuted or appropriated by the russian imperialistic regime. It is imperative that we remember the forgotten ones and reclaim their legacies. I hope that one day Ukrainian museums will be as popular among foreign visitors as institutions like Albertina or Leopold Museum.

Series of Interviews with Participants of the Professional Integration HUB Program.