Aleksandra Chemolosova
"What helped me was imagining celebrating my 80th birthday in detail. What will I wear, who will sit by my side, where, and what will my speech be to life? I see myself as an active and trendy old lady who gives Art Mentorship and helps people self-express themselves through Art. I would say, 'Choose the bright side of things, especially in hard times.' "
Two weeks to decide where to spend the rest of my life
I was that person who didn't believe that a war in Ukraine was possible. After one week of experiencing the russian invasion, the decision was made to leave my country, but where should I go? I've visited over 40 countries on vacation and business trips, and after some time redundant in Poland, I reached the destination Malmö, Sweden.
Why Sweden?
Unconsciously, I wanted to find the safest place in the world. Besides that, English use as a job language, and I wanted to feel alive again by the breeze of the sea. Sailing is one of my favorite hobbies.
How was the first year of living?
I was very much in survival mode, so there was no room to catch up with my emotions, talk about all the dreadful things that I witnessed, or yet alone see the damage a war entails. I blank space channeled all my energy, willpower, and resilience into action mode. I've had two jobs. I was lucky to join Boozt as a Marketing campaign manager, was laid off redundant, worked in Havas Studio, made a transcreation marketing campaign for Randstad, spent one month in Prague, and communicated with twelve countries. In April 2023, the contract ended, and my real blank space journey took place.
What does the true journey mean?
It means to be a job seeker as an international talent in Sweden. You know that if you have yet to find a new job by May, the next train in this process starts in September. SFI, a lot of Mentorship, networking, courses, and a lot of time to think about what I want to do and what is in demand now, and all the hidden feelings arose. No one can handle that alone; finding your people is crucial. International Citizen Hub Lund was one of the places that helped me find my community. Community is everything.
What helps to keep the spirit high during challenging times?
Firstly, you should value 'this pause' in life, find what brings the energy, check your values, and make a long-term plan. I've got back to sailing and spent the first season of kitesurfing.
What helped me was imagining celebrating my 80th birthday in detail. What will I wear, who will sit by my side, where, and what will my speech be to life? I see myself as an active and trendy old lady who gives Art Mentorship and helps people self-express themselves through Art. I would say, 'Choose the bright side of things, especially in hard times.'
Are you still looking for a job?
I freelance for a US architectural company as a marketing manager and am now actively interviewed by Swedish companies, so wish me good luck in finding the right work opportunity.
More tips?
Believe in yourself and the power of creating and making things together. If you keep searching and asking, the answers will come. Train your body and mind. Find joy in everyday life.
/ Aleksandra Chemolosova
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