Editor’s Note: As Ukraine’s 26th Independence Day approaches on Aug. 24, the Kyiv Post is asking Ukrainians who live abroad to send in their picture with answers to the following questions for publication. Send to Kyiv Post chief editor Brian Bonner at [email protected] – The published replies can be found here: Ukrainian Voices From Abroad
Kyiv Post: Where are you from in Ukraine?
Tanya Karpova: My world journey started from one of the industrial centers of Ukraine, Kremenchuk, a picturesque town situated on both banks of the Dnipro River.
KP: When did you leave; why did you leave?
TK: I had to leave my motherland in February 2015 as I was looking for international experience, better work conditions, new challenges and discoveries.
KP: How did you end up where you live?
TK: I’m working as a flight attendant in one of the leading Middle-East airlines and I’m glad my job has allowed me to explore so many diverse destinations on our fabulous planet.
KP: Do you ever regret that you are not in Ukraine – why or why not?
TK: I have never regretted any day of my life as all major life changes bring new learning experience and open up my mind. Despite all, my heart is always longing to come back home, where I used to listen to my mother’s lullabies. I do feel nostalgic about the times when I used to be next to my family, but sometimes we need to sacrifice the most precious thing you have in order to get better results.
KP: What do you miss most about Ukraine?
TK: The main thing I miss about Ukraine is the unforgettable time spent with my family.
KP: What do you miss least about Ukraine?
TK: The least thing I miss about Ukraine is our politics and day-to-day struggles to survive in decreasing economic environment.
KP: Does where you live have more opportunities for you than in Ukraine?
TK: UAE is a great runway to achieve your goals. At the time of my moving from Ukraine, unfortunately, I couldn’t find such opportunities for me there. But one should never limit himself/herself with countries’ borders if aimed at certain achievements.
KP: What relatives/friends are left back in Ukraine?
TK: I have my parents back home, as well as a huge bunch of relatives and friends. I have been to many countries and I should admit many Ukrainians have a great talent to become lifetime friends despite time and distance. Maybe that’s why each time I fly back home I know for sure it’s gonna be a marathon for seeing my dear relatives and friends.
KP: Do they visit you or do you visit them? Often?
TK: This year I had a chance to enjoy relatively often trips to Ukraine, so I could taste almost all seasonal fruits 🙂 But I try to see my family every two-three months. This March I also host my mother and godmother and I even managed to get them acquainted with Ukrainian diaspora in Abu-Dhabi during our common celebration of Mother’s Day.
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?
TK: I’m almost the same age as my homeland country and I see Ukraine as a young girl trying hard to fight for her happiness and prosperity. We certainly do progress in some aspects of our economy, culture and history while others are still stuck in the past. It will take time until our ‘flower’ will come to full blossom after all the strong winds and bad weather of the past years.
KP: What would it take for you to return?
TK: Financial stability and deprivation of bribery in parliament would bring me back to the soil of my roots.
KP: What do you wish for your country?
TK: First of all I wish Ukraine to be in peace and stop burying its patriotic sons in the present war. I want our country to find ways to fight its inner diseases like bribery or abode of authority. I want the whole world to appreciate and see its beauty. I just want its citizens to be proud to say that we are the descendants of the mighty Cossacks and to believe that we are able to change our Motherland for better.
KP: Do you think that wish will come true?
TK: Every wish can come true with huge motivation, and striving and struggling, not only by one person but by all of us together.
