McGill employee and student, traveler, dancer, and fashionista, Tetiana Kucher, simply known as Tanya, takes some time out of her busy schedule to chat with us about life at McGill and in Montreal.
Name: Tetiana Kucher
Nicknames: Tanya, or simply T
Hometown: Kyiv (Kiev), Ukraine. “Home is where your heart is, and right now my heart is in Montreal.”
Studying: Diploma in Management
Occupation: Service Representative
Hobbies: Dance, fashion, and travel
It took you quite some time to arrive and establish yourself in Montreal, considering you previously resided in different parts of North America. Why Canada, and why McGill?
I don’t think there is an exact answer to the question “why,” but I strongly believe that everything happens for a reason. I always knew that I would one day move from the Ukraine, but I was not sure when and where. I simply had had a feeling that sooner or later it was going to happen. Canada was more of a random choice, as well as a combination of circumstances, rather than a well thoughtout decision, and one that I don’t regret at all. Back in my country, McGill is one of those universities that you always dream of attending and can hardly picture yourself at. As long as you have goals and dreams in life, while working hard for them, you start to realize that the odds are in your favor and you do not even notice that moment when you attain that thing you were dreaming about just yesterday. So finally, having arrived at my dream school, McGill became the first school I attended in Canada, and the place where I met people who I now consider my Canadian family. McGill was also my first Canadian employer, and where I keep meeting nice and diverse people from all over the world on a daily basis. It really is an unbelievable and indescribable feeling to be part of such a great community, and I sincerely appreciate every minute spent at McGill.
What is your job title at McGill University’s Centre for Continuing Education, and what do you do there?
I am a Service Representative at McGill’s Centre for Continuing Education. My job includes everything from providing students with information on programs and courses, registering them for continuing education courses, I do accounting, exams deferrals, processing their documents and papers, and much more.
You have become quite popular among international McGill students. How does it feel when students recognize you on campus and ask you for your advice on their studies?
I’m always happy to help students, whether it be during work hours or not. It is not a question of if I can help, but it is a question of how I can help. International students will always have a variety of different questions, often times not even related to their studies, and it is very important for me to be there for them. Not very long ago, I was in the same boat as these international students with an enormous amount of different questions, so I know exactly what it feels like. Therefore, I will always try to do my best to help them as much as I can while encouraging them. It is very important to know that even though you may be thousands of miles away from your home and family, you are not alone and there are always people around who can help you with any problem you may possibly have. For me, it is more of a moral question, rather than one of a “job description.” The best reward is when I see students achieving their goals and being happy where they are.
What do you study here at McGill, and what do you aspire to do in your future?
I am currently working towards a Diploma in Management with an International Business Concentration at McGill. For me personally, inspiration always comes from the inside. I cannot live my life without goals, and I always try to do my best to achieve them. There is always something new to learn and improve; life is too short to waste time! I have an idea of opening my own business in the future, but for now, I will leave all those details a secret. That is another article to write!” (Smiles) “I would also like to say that nothing is ideal in this world, however there are no limits to what one can do. Of course my parents and my friends are the biggest supporters for me in everything I do!
You have a very busy schedule! What do you do when you’re not working or going to school?
I don’t have much free time remaining after work, but I spend plenty of time on my studies and on my dance class. I also usually spend as much time as I possibly can with my friends, because they are a very important part of my life!
The last book you read?
Can we take Mathematics for Management, the book for my current class, into consideration? (Laughs)
Do you have any words of wisdom that you live by?
“Everything happens for a reason,” and of course, “what goes around comes around!”
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