Episode Transcript
Katya Kvasha 0:00
Because of the pandemic, just remember that it will end one day. And after that you will need to live as you did before. And you will need to face new and new challenges every day. So just spend this time reasonably and prepare for all that events that are waiting for you after the pandemic, we'll end.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 0:36
This podcast shows that Ukraine is not what foreigners see on television. Together, we will break all the stereotypes about Ukrainian so that when the flag of Ukraine is lifted, anywhere in the world, everyone will know Ukraine and its unique culture because today, Ukraine has a dynamic new generation that will change the world. Hello, my name is Aziz and I have a deep connection with Ukraine. My grandfather volunteered in 1987, to help liquidate the Chernobyl chemical radiation because he believed in humanity, he was a real hero for me. And even though he struggled with cancer after that, for the rest of his life, he always told me many great things about Ukraine, and its people. Then, from 2018 to 2019. For two years, I began working with UNICEF in Ukraine to help build orphanages for Ukrainian children. And thank you all so much for the support. More than 270 people participated in this project for Ukraine, from the Vice President of the Helen Martin group, to the Vice Chancellor of the ugcc church, to the president of the Erasmus student network give to the President of the World Trade Center give to students from the FLEX program, Ukraine Global Scholars, United World callers Harvard and Minerva schools at KGI to the United Nations, to interns at the Ukrainian parliament, and at the Canadian Parliament to top 1% students in Ukraine. But not only them. This project is for all Ukrainians, from all backgrounds. So if you wish to participate, send me a message on Instagram at Aziz dot future and join the telegram channel. Give future My goal is to make interviews with hundreds of Ukrainians and the world is listening. This podcast is already top 50 In the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland and Monaco top 25 In Austria, Germany, Canada, Russia, and Poland, top 15 in Australia, Italy, Spain, and Dubai and top 10 In Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, South Korea, Singapore and many other places because this is now officially the number one podcast on Apple about Ukraine. Together, we will break the stereotypes. Together, we will help all other countries discover and respect the greatness of Ukrainian people. And this good reputation will support the development of Ukraine, creating more opportunities for every Ukrainian to have a better life. So let's begin. My guest today is Katerina Kershaw. Katya is a marketing student at vn Karazin Kharkiv National University and the Ukraine Global Scholar semifinalist in 2021, born in the small town of zoom in hartcliffe oblast Katya was the president of gymnasium number one in his room for three years and graduated with a gold medal. She is an engine student, and she loves studying, reading books, dancing, listening to music, public speaking and debate. Katya won first place for her research work in history at heart give Junior Academy of Science, and she won geography and history Olympiads in zoom she took as well third place for an Olympiad in heart give. Katya loves potato cooked in various ways, peaches and tea, and her favorite quotes are The brave ones always have happiness from T Groleau V. By Yvonne biryani another quote is I had a nice pair of rollerblades. I was afraid to rack them, so I kept them in a box. Do you know what happened? I outgrew them. If you just keep your heart to yourself, maybe it will be like my rollerblades. You should take a chance got nothing to lose from home alone to another one is a passage from contrast Pam Sparrow a poem by Lesya Ukrainka up the flinty, steep and craggy mountain, a weighty ponderous boulder I shall raise and bearing this dread burden a resounding song girl sang a song of Julius praise. Katya. How are you today?
Katya Kvasha 5:57
Hello, Aziz. I'm doing great. I'm honored to be a guest today. And you did amazing while reading my favorite quotes.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 6:07
Thank you. You have supported and encouraged this project for a long time now. So I'm happy to finally get the chance to interview you. And let's begin on a more emotional vibe. You Katya? Why do you want to feel alive? To really, really enjoy yourself? What do you like to do?
Katya Kvasha 6:32
I'd say it depends on a situation on my mood, or as a different factors such as weather. The thing is that I really enjoy dancing outside, of course, when nobody can see me, because that brings me a lot of positive vibes. Or sometimes when I'm busy or diet, I just need to get away from work for a while. But unfortunately, I can do that. When it's too hot or when it's raining. And when the weather is bad, I prefer to stay at home having a cup of tea and a book prepared and read for long, long hours sitting by a window. Oh, yeah. And I just remembered about one more activity that is probably my most favorite. It is working no matter alone or together with my friends, listen to music or taking a break from my smartphone. I don't work in at forest or by the river. I like go into places where I've never been before. And it may sound strange, but I like getting lost. I experienced a feeling of adventurous and that moments when you have already worked several kilometres. And the only thing you can do is moving ahead not knowing where will you find yourself for example, in an hour. To be honest, most of my friends hate me for that my hobby, but they have no chances to refuse me and we go for a walk again and again. So working Oh, sometimes jogging helps me to feel alive and to spruce up my sots.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 8:12
Thank you. Sorry, if I heard you correctly. It's then thing outside, but not when it's raining and not when the weather is too hot. It's sitting by the window reading a prepared book for hours and hours. Man, it's walking outside, especially going to new places, whether alone and with friends, especially when you experience the thrill of adventure. When you get lost. Is this correct? Absolutely. Tell me about getting lost. What's so interesting for you about that adventure is feeling.
Katya Kvasha 8:53
I think it's deeply connected with my love to discovering new things in life in general, and visiting new places and getting lost. Only one way of manifestation my personality.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 9:11
Is it more about curiosity or more about the thrill of doing something almost dangerous?
Katya Kvasha 9:19
Well, I can say that. Getting lost in my situation is really dangerous. It's more about curiosity and about feeling alive.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 9:33
So when you feel new emotions, you feel alive. Is this correct? Yes. Then how do you do with the fact that to study since you love studying the progress to build something you need routine and doing some boring things for months and months? How do you deal with it if it's so important for you to feel Oh, something new.
Katya Kvasha 10:01
I think that adventures keep being so interesting because they, they happen. Doesn't happen every day, but they always are unexpected. And that makes them even more beautiful.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 10:21
Thank you. So they don't happen frequently. And that makes them more impactful. More beautiful because of their rarity. Is this correct?
Katya Kvasha 10:31
Yeah, I like adventures that can surprise me.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 10:35
But then does it mean if you could have adventures every day? You'll say no, I refuse that not good.
Katya Kvasha 10:43
I think I would lost that feeling of something you if adventures if I experienced adventures every day.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 10:54
Thank you. And in which way? Are you interested in new things? Is it on every level? So physically, emotionally, intellectually? It's about the new thing that is surprising? Or do you tend to prefer something more than others?
Katya Kvasha 11:15
I think about it is about every scene, probably in the world. It's about styling at school. It's about feeling you emotions. It's about talking to you to new people, or drying you, Hobbes sounds like that.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 11:35
How do you view life? Do you view life as an experience? Do you view life as an adventure? Do you view life as learning? Do you view life as a way to get warm and cozy with those you love? And no? Do you view life as a difficult hardship struggle? I don't know. But how do you view life? What do you feel is the nature of life?
Katya Kvasha 12:04
I think I can't describe our life with only one world what or with only one definition, I think it's all of what you've just listed at the same time. Our life is probably a big adventure where we need our experience, where we need to build strong relations with people make friends. And sometimes you need to struggle to get the desired result.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 12:38
What is for you the meaning of friendship?
Katya Kvasha 12:42
I think that friendship is relations between several people that you can build only in in some period of time. I mean, you can't make friends in a day or probably in a week. Personally. For me, it takes several years to find a good friend and to get to know my friends. Better.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 13:16
Thank you. So friendship is something that is built over time over years, where you spend time with people, you do things together, you understand their values in order at the end to consider someone a good friend of yours. Did I understand correctly? Yes? What are values or characteristics or characters of those, you know, or seem to be the kind of people that become your good friends?
Katya Kvasha 13:53
I think a good friend need to share your wealth. Well, yes. I mean, if you have similar views for your future, it will make your friendship even more stronger. But it doesn't mean that you need to have the same thoughts about everything in this world. Now, that friendship, I can't name that friendship. Healthy. Friendship is about having your own opinion, but being respectful to your friend and about being being with your friend in a difficult moment.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 14:42
Thank you. I agree with that. But even first I would like to know what are your values Katya? And what is your view on your future?
Katya Kvasha 14:56
Oh, can you please explain your question more?
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 15:00
Have you said that friends are those who share similar values and similar views on the future? So I'm asking, based on your definition, what are your values? And what are your views on the future that you tend to share with your friends?
Katya Kvasha 15:20
I would say that I'm more career person. And I need friends who will understand that and respect my desire to spend lots of time to study in probably to work in. And yeah, I'd like to get a good job in the future and get a good education probably abroad. And I need friends who will motivate me. Actually, I already have friends who motivate me, on my way to my dreams.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 16:01
Tell me more. Why is it so interesting and important for you to have that good education, and that good job that you are dreaming about?
Katya Kvasha 16:16
I guess that good education opens new opportunities in front of you. And after you get it, you have more chances to get a well paid job and feel yourself. Safety in the future. I mean, financial safety and probably do to make your childhood dreams to, to travel all around the world, or whatever you want.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 16:49
Think you so if I understood you correctly, when you have a good education, especially abroad, you will have more opportunities, including the ability to get a good paying job that will allow you to achieve your childhood dreams and to travel all over the world. Is this correct?
Katya Kvasha 17:13
about studying abroad? I'd like to add that it's only my desire, it's my goal. And I don't want to say that you can get a good education in Ukraine interest only about me.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 17:30
Thank you. What are your childhood dreams that a good paying job will make possible and that it's important to have financial security and safety? For them?
Katya Kvasha 17:44
I think it's traveling, as I already said, I'd like to travel all around the world.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 17:52
I imagine you'd like to get lost while traveling. Is this correct? Absolutely. Then I don't understand something that seems to be like a contradiction. Why is safety so important for you, if you're in love with adventures and getting laws,
Katya Kvasha 18:11
I mean, I need financial safety, probably, for getting my second indication. In the future. I don't know what will happen to me, for example, in 10 years, and that will just help me to feel sure that I'll be able to do every scene that may come to make come up to my mind, to my mind that like that likes adventurous and probably to create my family in the future. I think it's an important step. And you definitely need money to do that.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 18:55
Thank you about traveling. What is a place that you really dream of going to that you haven't visited yet?
Katya Kvasha 19:04
I think it's Canada. Canada is the country of my of my child dreams. I think it's a really nice country to visit and probably to live there. But now, I would only like to go there for a trip.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 19:25
What would you do first, when you're able to take a trip to Canada? Is it going to nature to the mountains? Is it going skiing and the snow? Is it going to the big cities and experiencing the skyscrapers? Is it going and speaking English and practicing with the people are what is the thing that seems to be your first imagination for the first thing you'd be doing in Canada?
Katya Kvasha 19:57
I see. It's going to mountains. I've never climbed a mountain before, but I'd really like to. And I know that can that isn't the only country in the world where mountains, cities, and but I would definitely do that there.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 20:17
Imagine you're climbing a mountain? How would that feel?
Katya Kvasha 20:23
I think it wouldn't be too easy, especially for me, as for a person who had never done that before, but I like to feel that emotions that usually arise when you get on your own mountain, and you and the wonderful scenery opens to you. And you feel yourself as a winner. And you had that feeling of adventures and the feeling of yes, I've done that I'm proud of myself.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 21:05
Yes, I've done that. I'm proud of myself and feeling like a winner, and letting the scenery open up for you. And getting a sense of adventure. Is this correct? Yep. Do you get some kind of similar emotions? When getting lost in a book for hours?
Katya Kvasha 21:27
I think is a different kind of a different spectrum of emotions. That is also good, but it's a bit different feelings.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 21:40
What kind of feelings are those different feelings?
Katya Kvasha 21:44
I feel calmly while reading and I feel that I learn something new from each book. And yeah, probably calm calmness is the word that describes my emotions while reading the best.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 22:04
Thank you. And as a person, you said it's a different spectrum of emotions? Do you prefer to feel the whole spectrum of emotions from negative to positive, or you like only the positive, exciting, adventurous or calm or satisfying emotions? Always,
Katya Kvasha 22:29
I think that feeling only positive emotions isn't enough to feel yourself a human and we can just get rid of all the negative emotions in order to, to feel good. And just to forget about all the negative in our life, that's impossible. And I wouldn't like to get rid of, of sadness, loneliness, of angry of being angry in my life.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 23:02
Thank you, then explain to me more. You said it's not enough to feel only positive emotions in order to feel yourself as a human. What does it mean? To be human? In your own opinion? And what does it mean to feel alive?
Katya Kvasha 23:23
Ah, if talking about emotions, I would say that being a human means feel all the spectrum of emotions. What was the second question?
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 23:38
feeling alive?
Katya Kvasha 23:41
Feeling like? Yeah, I think that all the emotion we we've ever experienced in our life, had left left mark on ourselves, and they're just part of us. And it wouldn't be reasonable to want to get rid of them. So feeling alive means feeling all the emotions you've ever experienced before, and probably those ones you've never felt before.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 24:19
Are you a confident kind of person?
Katya Kvasha 24:23
I hope so.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 24:24
Do you have leadership qualities?
Katya Kvasha 24:28
Yes, I think I have. I've been a leader at my school and I've been I've get leader positions in different spheres of my life. So yes, I think that what leader and leadership relates to me.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 24:49
Yes, I noticed because you convince your friends again and again, to go for a walk and get lost. So do you what does it mean? seem to be a good leader.
Katya Kvasha 25:03
First of all it is it's important for leader to remember about all your team. So a good leader want only seen about himself or herself, and he will pay attention to everybody. And in case of failure, I think that leaders should take all the responsibility on himself or herself. That maybe not easy at times. But I think that that is the same that a good leader should do. What sells and good leader need to be confident enough because only confident people can lead others. And probably leadership is also about some experience, because your experience helps you a lot in work. And if you can manage different things at the same time, or if you have, have managed to do something, have managed to cope with difficult challenges before probably that experience will help you in the future. And as a person who consider myself a leader, I think I've got those qualities.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 26:33
Thank you, Katya. And I'm curious a bit more about you? Did you have troubles before with confidence? And then you built it over time? Or were you a child who's outgoing and confident from a very early age?
Katya Kvasha 26:52
Actually, I have different stages of becoming confident, because when I was in middle school, so when it was about 10 to 12 years old, I was a really confident kid, probably I was even too confident and times. And then something happened to me. I don't actually know what. But I had some I felt insecure about the way I looked like. And probably there is a period every teenager should go through. And then when I've managed all my, all my troubles, all my insecurities, I started building a strong leadership qualities again, and now I'm on my way of self improving, and I keep improving my skills and I want
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 27:55
stop. No, no, no. Tell me more. Imagine there are young Ukrainians who don't feel so confident and have insecurities. How did you manage your insecurities? How did you build your leadership skills? What would you recommend to them to do to overcome this?
Katya Kvasha 28:20
When I was about 1614 years, seems that really helped me to become to become to become confident, it was lots of trainings. So teachers helped me to, to become more confident, they asked me to take parts in different tournaments in public in some public speaking contests. And by doing all of that, by facing with my fears, I can't became more confident. So to those who are looking for some ways to become confident I would I would recommend just to face your fears. And sometimes one day, you get the desired result. And I also heard a good statement. Fake it till you make it. So it means that you should pretend being confident until you really become confident. That may sound a bit strange or stupid, but that rule helped me one day and if you have some similar with my problems, just try it.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 29:46
Thank you. I'm not another thing that I'm curious about because this is so interesting, that you pretend to be confident and then you face all your fears and see Saying that you survive or that you do well helps you build that confidence for you, as well, as a productive person who studies a lot, who still has time to get lost and have adventures? Who is dreaming of the big, well paying career? Well, how do you organize your day? What is your productivity method? How do you set your priorities? How do you keep focus without get burning out? And how do you manage your energy.
Katya Kvasha 30:34
So it can be really hard for me at times to be productive. But the first rule you need to remember is, don't forget to have a rest, so you won't be productive. No matter how much you work how much you did your in a day, if you don't pay enough attention to your mental health. So that is the first rule. And then some tips that helped me is just starting to, to write all my plans for a day in my phone notes, or probably in an old book that helps that will really help you to not to forget all you wanted to do. And in the end of the day, when you realize that you've done all your plans, you will feel yourself productive. And and yeah, probably that is the main advice.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 31:36
Thank you very much. And in addition to this, to understand you even more, what kinds of books do you seem to gravitate towards? Do you love more books that are novels and tell stories and you get lost in the plot? Or is it philosophical, historical, or even like teaching you some new skills and information about mathematics and geography, and all that? What kinds of books fascinate you?
Katya Kvasha 32:13
I'm not sure I can name only one chapter of book that I really like, I consider myself a huge fan of books. And I can read any kind of book, something that is about philosophy, something that about psychology is something fiction and nonfiction books, it really doesn't matter for me, and I will finish any book. In the end, no matter if it is interesting, or probably, if I lost my interest to the book, I would finish it because I see that every book have has some sin that we can learn from. And it's really important to understand the message that the that and also wanted to tell us
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 33:15
thank you about book, then how do you decide what is the next book that you will read?
Katya Kvasha 33:23
I think that firstly, I start reading books that I have at my home. So it's really important for me to have a paper book and not to search for it in the internet, because it's completely and as a few and when you can can feel the book with your fingers. And probably that is the most important factor for me. And then when it comes to choosing the gender of book, I usually try to understand what I feel right now. And what I want to read is it some fictional story, some novels, some book about some books about adventures, all probably I'm more about I want to read something on psychology, I'm ready to sync a lot on the book and on offices message so it's really depends on my mood.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 34:26
Thank you Katya. And I like that the way you make decisions and everything. How would your friends describe your personality? If they were speaking about you?
Katya Kvasha 34:41
probably curious and hardworking girl. I think those qualities describes me the best and my friends see me as that person. But also when I'm not working when I'm not studying. I'm really You kind and probably funny, I think that I like smiling most of the times, and I like jogging so I can, I can do that really often when I'm with my friends.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 35:13
Thank you. Can you tell me about curiosity? For you? What does it mean to be a curious person?
Katya Kvasha 35:22
As I already say, said, I, like finding adventures and for example, getting lost is a result of my curiosity. I mean, I wanted to discover some new places where I've never been before. And that led me to be in lost.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 35:49
Yes. And now I'm curious about you. What, why did you choose marketing education compared to any other topic or subject you could have chosen?
Katya Kvasha 36:02
Actually, when it was time to make up my mind about what I'd like to do in the future, I was searching for something that would be half connected with maths because I really like studying maths, although I, I can, it can be hard for me sometimes. And something that is connected with humanities with languages literatures, and marketing turned out to be the best decision because you need to communicate with people, as a marketer a lot. And you need to know foreign languages. And also, it's a part of economics. So you'll study mess there a lot. And that was probably the most valuable reason. And that's why I decided to be a marketer in the future.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 36:58
Thank you so much. That's interesting that many people don't love math. What? For you? What makes math so interesting, fascinating, and a joy to study? What do you see in it? What does it give you tell me everything.
Katya Kvasha 37:17
I think I like maths because it's, it's not so easy. Like maths isn't for everyone, because it can be hard at times. And people who say that they don't like maths, I think that most of them just gave up too early. I was about to give up while studying maths. And I think I'm more about literature, I'm more about languages. And I actually actually don't know how I came up with law in maths. I just like to fight with this subject. And that makes it so special for me.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 38:05
I love it. And your English is so good. I believe you study hard. And also engine is helping you a lot. But for you, since you love languages, and you just mentioned that. What is your language learning method? What is the recommendation you'd give and advice and maybe secret tips for learning languages.
Katya Kvasha 38:31
Probably only after I become an ancient student, I realize that the biggest tip that can help literally everybody is to practice your English more and more. And it's really important to have somebody it will be better if it is a native English speaker, to talk with him or with her on different topics that really helped me and I actually seen that I've been an ancient student for about a year and that year was was as productive as, for example, my last five years of studying English with tutors or at school.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 39:18
Thank you. That what I understood about you, you're someone who is curious, who views life as a learning experience and an adventure who is focused on career and hard work, who is looking for the financial safety that will allow you to have all the end trenchers and travels and live the life you dream? You seem to be an independent kind of person. Is this correct?
Katya Kvasha 39:47
Yes, I think it's about me.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 39:50
Why is it good or important for you to be independent, rather than dependent and I know it seems like a weird question. But if I understand you,
Katya Kvasha 40:04
I think that it's important for each person to feel, to feel free, and to be able to do whatever he or she wants. And to be able to wake up one morning, and I don't know, to go to another country. It's what freedom means for me. And you can only be free, you can only feel free when you are independent.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 40:34
Thank you. So is that how you motivate yourself to work hard? You just think I will do this today. So that tomorrow, I'll be independent, and then I will be free to do anything I want? Absolutely. How did it happen? Did you have situations where you thought I am not free? I hate this, I refuse. And I decide to get freedom or die trying? Or how did it happen?
Katya Kvasha 41:03
Actually, I don't know. When was that moment when I realized that? Sometimes I think that I had that feelings since my early childhood. And probably I was I wanted to be independent my whole life. And it just became more more obvious when I grew up. But it doesn't mean I didn't want to be independent of for example, 10 years ago.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 41:36
Thank you. And what is your advice to other young Ukrainians who wish to get that freedom that independence met, but maybe because of the pandemic or any other situation, they feel it's hopeless, they feel stuck, they feel maybe depressed,
Katya Kvasha 41:56
I would recommend people not to be afraid of anything. Like trying things, like not being afraid of anything is really important, because as I've already said, facing with my fears helped me to to deal with my with my insecurity. So if you think that your life is boring, or you stacked up because of the pandemic, just remember that it will end one day. And after that you will need to live as you did before, and you will need to face new and new challenges every day. So just spend this time reasonably and prepare for all that events that are waiting for you after the pandemic will end.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 42:53
Thank you so much Katya. It was a privilege, an honor and a great time. And if people want to follow you on social media, what is the best social media to do that? And is there any project that you're fascinated with, that you would like to share information about, this is a great time to do that. Or just to say goodbye and just enjoy those exciting moments of beginning your education and new life at the university.
Katya Kvasha 43:29
Ah, so I think that the best way to find me in social medias would be my Instagram. I hope as this you leave a link or my nickname, so I just want to say that feel free to contact me there. I'm really open to you, acquaintances and to meeting you people. And I just want to say thank you as always for you wonderful work, for, for your job for hard work, and for being just so cool person that helps many Ukrainians. And I find it very symbolic that we are having the podcast about breaking stereotypes about Ukrainians on Independence Day of Ukraine.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 44:22
Thank you so much. You're so kind and like I said before, you have supported this whole project for a while now and I'm grateful to you. Thank you.
Katya Kvasha 44:35
Thank you so much.
