Tetyana Kachynska je arhitektica i dizajnerica interijera iz Kijeva koja gradi svoj novi život u Zagrebu. O ratu, preseljenju, profesionalnom životu i obitelji s troje školaraca razgovaramo s Tetyanom telefonski, između radnih zadataka.

O preseljenju u Hrvatsku 

Tetyana: S početkom ruske invazije shvatila sam da se svi moji planovi vezani uz rad (Tetyana je imala vlastiti studio za dizajn interijera) i život u Kijevu više ne mogu sigurno realizirati. Djeca i ja nismo birali Hrvatsku, tako se dogodilo. Završili smo ovdje i odlučili ostati. Prvih tjedan-dva u zemlji proveli smo u Varaždinskim Toplicama, u centru za prihvat izbjeglica. Jako sam zahvalna Hrvatskoj i njezinim stanovnicima na toplom prijemu i pomoći. Bez toga bi mi bilo puno teže.

O poslu 

Tetyana: Po struci sam arhitektica i imam bogato iskustvo u dizajnu interijera. Odmah po dolasku počela sam tražiti posao. Na moj oglas na Facebooku (tada još nisam znala za lokalne stranice za traženje posla) odmah su se odazvali. Prošla sam nekoliko intervjua i već nakon tjedan dana počela raditi u struci u Zagrebu. Hvala na povjerenju mom prvom poslodavcu Mislavu Bašiću! Štoviše, čak sam i smještaj pronašla putem oglasa, zahvaljujući brižnosti ljudi.

U početku se Tetyana na poslu i u svakodnevnom životu služila engleskim jezikom. Kao i svi Ukrajinci, primjećuje visoku razinu poznavanja engleskog među Hrvatima. To je, bez sumnje, nešto što pomaže u integraciji i prilagodbi životu u zemlji.

O djeci 

Tetyana ima tri dječaka mlađe školske dobi. 

Tetyana: Jako sam zadovoljna time kako se djeca odnose prema školi ovdje. Brzo su savladali jezik. Uvijek rado idu na nastavu, pa čak i tuguju ako moraju ostati kod kuće zbog bolesti. Sada radim u drugom studiju te kao dizajner-freelancer. Zato imam fleksibilno radno vrijeme; bez toga s djecom ne bi išlo.

O planovima za život i rad 

Tetyana: Od početka velikog rata više ništa ne planiram. Zasad smo u Zagrebu i jako sam zadovoljna Hrvatskom. Ovdje je mirno, sigurno za djecu, a priroda je predivna. Na poslu su me prihvatili otvoreno i prijateljski, pa ću se i dalje razvijati u tom smjeru.

U profesionalnom djelovanju Tetyana se oslanja na principe učinkovitosti i samorazvoja. 

Tetyana: Pratim i usvajam nove aktualne programe, učim, poboljšavam kvalitetu svojih projekata i savladavam AI (umjetnu inteligenciju). Smatram da je budućnost u pedantnom tehnološkom pristupu dizajnu. U Kijevu sam radila u vrlo konkurentnom okruženju i mogu unijeti nove ideje i pristupe u rad ovdje u Zagrebu.

Kao freelancer, Tetyana izvršava narudžbe iz raznih dijelova svijeta. Istovremeno radi u dizajnerskom studiju i živi u Zagrebu, birajući Hrvatsku za sebe i svoju djecu. Redakcija želi Tetyani daljnji uspjeh u radu i sve najbolje.

Architect of Her Own Success

Tetyana Kachynska is an architect and interior designer from Kyiv who is building her new life in Zagreb. We spoke with Tetyana by phone between her work tasks about the war, relocation, professional life, and raising a family with three school-aged children.

On Moving to Croatia 

Tetyana: With the start of the full-scale invasion, I realized that all my plans for work (Tetyana had her own interior design studio) and life in Kyiv could no longer be safely realized. My children and I didn’t choose Croatia; it just happened. We ended up here and decided to stay. We spent the first week or two in the country in the town of Varaždinske Toplice, at a refugee reception center. I am very grateful to Croatia and its people for the warm welcome and help. Without it, things would have been much harder for me.

On Work 

Tetyana: I am an architect by education and have extensive experience in interior design. Immediately upon arrival, I started looking for work here. My Facebook ad (I didn’t know about local job search sites back then) received an immediate response. I went through several interviews and within a week, I started working in my field in Zagreb. I am grateful for the trust shown by my first employer, Mislav Bašić! Moreover, I even found my housing through an ad, thanks to the kindness of people.

Initially, Tetyana used English at work and in daily life. Like many Ukrainians, she notes the high level of English proficiency among Croatians. This is undoubtedly something that helps with integration and adaptation to life in the country.

On Children 

Tetyana has three young boys of primary school age. 

Tetyana: I am very pleased with how the children feel about school here. They mastered the language quickly. They are always happy to attend classes and even get sad if they have to stay home due to illness. I am currently working at another studio and as a freelance designer. This gives me a flexible schedule; with children, there’s no other way.

On Plans for Life and Work 

Tetyana: Since the start of the great war, I don’t plan anything anymore. For now, we are in Zagreb, and I am very satisfied with Croatia. It is peaceful here, safe for children, and the nature is beautiful. I was welcomed at work openly and friendly, so I will continue to develop in this direction.

In her professional activities, Tetyana relies on the principles of efficiency and self-development. Tetyana: I track and master new relevant software, continue my education, improve the quality of my projects, and embrace AI. I believe the future lies in a meticulous technological approach to design. In Kyiv, I worked in a highly competitive environment, and I can bring new ideas and approaches to the work here in Zagreb.

As a freelancer, Tetyana handles commissions from various corners of the world. At the same time, she works in a design studio and lives in Zagreb, choosing Croatia for herself and her children. The editorial team wishes Tetyana continued success in her work and all the best.