For some, moving is a nightmare, for others it is a true dream, but for Vyonna Rukuno from Kenya it was a step into the unknown, which opened up for her more than she could have imagined: a new profession, friends from different parts of the world, and even a sense of love for winter, which she had previously seen only in films.

How did Vyonna find out about the employment programme at a large Russian company? How did she manage to "feel at home" in a new country? And what stereotypes about Russians turned out to be true? You will find this and much more in our material.

According to Vyonna, the decision to participate in the Alabuga Start programme was made after she accidentally saw the information about the project on the Internet. The opportunity to gain professional skills, build a career without work experience, and learn about another culture seemed promising to her.

The selection process for Alabuga Start included submitting an application on the website, passing business simulations assessing the level of analytics and communication, learning one hundred basic words in Russian, and interviewing an HR specialist of the programme. This was followed by a medical examination, translation of the documents, and waiting for an invitation.

- The whole journey took me about four months. They say it's faster now, – Vyonna laughs.

The girl admits: having the ticket to Russia in hand, which was paid for by the company, was the very moment when there was no turning back, and new opportunities opened up ahead. In Kazan (the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan – ed. note), Vyonna was met by programme staff and accompanied to Yelabuga, where the Alabuga SEZ is located. This support played an important role in the first days of her stay in Russia, helping her to adapt faster and feel more confident in an unfamiliar environment.

– It was a long flight, with a transfer in Istanbul. But when they meet you at the airport, you realize that you are not a stranger here, – Vyonna says.

Today, Vyonna lives in a corporate hostel with other Alabuga Start participants from different countries: Nigeria, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Uganda and Kyrgyzstan.

— It’s like getting to know the whole world in one house, she laughs. We taste each other's dishes, talk about our countries, and sometimes learn Russian together.

Over time, Vyonna began supporting new participants: showing them the city, accompanying them to the store, sharing tips on household issues and helping them master basic phrases in Russian.

– I remember how everything was new in the early days. Having someone around who has already walked this path is priceless, – she says.