Interviewer: Anna, thanks so much for sharing your career journey with us. Let’s start at the beginning. You graduated in 2015 with a degree in English and French interpreting. What were your initial thoughts on your career path?
Anna: Thanks for having me! Yes, when I graduated, I initially thought about continuing my studies. But I quickly realized that I wanted to start earning money, and I had this strong desire to travel and enjoy life. So I decided to put further studies on hold.
Interviewer: It sounds like you were eager to get started in the real world. How did the opportunity to work in China come about?
Anna: Right! I was excited to explore new places. Soon after graduating, I got an offer to work as an English teacher in Wuhu, China. It felt like the perfect way to dive into a new culture while building my career. The salary was 7,000 RMB, with my apartment costing 1,000 RMB, which was roughly around $1,000 USD per month in total earnings at the time. It wasn’t a lot, but enough to start building a life in a foreign country.
Interviewer: And how did you finance your move to China initially?
Anna: My mom helped me with the flight tickets, which cost about 20,000 RUB, and I had saved up 50,000 RUB myself. It wasn’t a huge amount, but having those savings gave me a small safety net to start a new life abroad.
Interviewer: What was life like when you first arrived in Wuhu?
Anna: It was definitely an adjustment! I had to adapt to a new culture, new language, and a different way of working. But little by little, I found my rhythm, and I managed to start saving as well. Eventually, I began thinking about moving to a bigger city to advance my career, which led me to Shanghai.
Interviewer: How did you manage the transition to Shanghai?
Anna: Moving to Shanghai was a big step, financially and personally. I had to save up enough for the first month’s rent, a deposit, and my initial living expenses, like food and transportation. I actually found my next job through a Google search—an agent contacted me, and I moved to Shanghai to work as a foreign language consultant.
Interviewer: You spent five years in Shanghai, right? What was that experience like?
Anna: Yes, five amazing years! Living and working in Shanghai helped me grow both professionally and personally. I continued to save a little bit each month, and I eventually decided it was time to move on. I returned to Moscow, where I worked in a kindergarten, but I always kept saving. I put aside about 20,000 RUB each month for “special occasions” or future plans.
Interviewer: And that led you to Vietnam?
Anna: Exactly! After some time in Moscow, I decided to make the leap to Vietnam, where I got another job as an English teacher. Currently, I’m based in Da Nang and work online, which allows me to enjoy a flexible lifestyle while earning a steady income.
Interviewer: You’ve had quite a journey! Looking back, what are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned?
Anna: I’d say the main lessons are to enjoy what you’re doing, save for the next step, and prioritize your health. Staying active has helped me keep my energy up through all these moves, and saving consistently, even in small amounts, has given me the freedom to take new opportunities when they come.
Interviewer: Great advice, Anna. Thank you for sharing your story! It’s inspiring to see how planning and adaptability can lead to such an exciting career and life journey.
