You're reading: Ukrainian Voices From Abroad: Olga Gassan-zade’s Independence Day story

Editor’s Note: As the 26th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence as a nation approaches on Aug. 24, the Kyiv Post is asking Ukrainians who live abroad to comment on their lives and their reflections on their homeland. To participate, Ukrainians living abroad should send a photo and answers to the following questions to Kyiv Post chief editor Brian Bonner at [email protected]

Kyiv Post: Where are you from in Ukraine?
Olga Gassan-zade: Kyiv.

KP: When did you leave; why did you leave?

OG: First time in 1998, to study in the US. I came back and then left again to work abroad, then came back again. Have been away now since 2007. I primarily left because there was a whole world unexplored beyond its borders – Ukraine felt too small and I wanted to work internationally.

KP: How did you end up where you live?

OG: I ended up in Norway because I liked its fresh air, urban forests, abundance of fresh water, and because it has low density of population. We were moving there from Japan – continental climate and free space were big factors. I have to say we definitely misjudged the climate – it’s a bit too cold here.

KP: Do you ever regret that you are not in Ukraine – why or why not?

OG: Recently, every time I visit I start wishing we could return. It has changed a lot since I left, it’s dynamic, it’s fun, it’s full of energy.

KP: What do you miss most about Ukraine?

OG: The dynamism.

KP: What do you miss least about Ukraine?

OG: Poor infrastructure and poverty of the majority of the population.

KP: Does where you live have more opportunities for you than in Ukraine?

OG: I don’t think so, on the contrary, Ukraine is now the country of opportunities. It’s growing, changing and it has a lot of potential.

KP: What relatives/friends are left back in Ukraine?

OG: Few. Cousins, classmates, old colleagues.

KP: Do they visit you or do you visit them? Often?

OG: I visit Ukraine often for work, almost never for personal reasons.

KP: With Ukraine coming up to its 26th anniversary of national independence, how do you feel about your homeland? Is it making progress as a nation? Or not so much?

OG: I think the progress is colossal and I feel very sad that Ukrainians on average don’t notice that, or rather they tend to focus on things that have not yet changed. Ukrainians as a nation have become freer, more confident, more open to the outside world. Sometimes too open because they tend to think that other places are perfect and Ukraine is not. I’ve moved around a lot and I think any country or place has it’s pluses and minuses.

KP: What would it take for you to return?

OG: Having something solid to return to, a worthy project perhaps. Now that there are kids involved the barrier to move is much higher – we can’t just uproot them on a whim.

KP: What do you wish for your country?

OG: Peace and prosperity.

KP: Do you think that wish will come true?

OG: Absolutely.