Professional Integration HUB

Anastasiia Yevstratenko, Professional Integration HUB 3.0 Program Participant.

Intro 

• Age: 25 years old
• City before moving to Austria: Kyiv, Ukraine
• Professional specialization: Culture projects manager
• Hosting institution: The Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Civil Service, and Sport of Austria
• Self-rated integration: 6/10

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Culture projects manager, MA in History of Art, BA in Law. Project- and event manager in cultural organisations (PEN Ukraine, Port of Culture), exhibitions curator, trainee at the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine.

HOBBIES AND PERSONAL INTERESTS

I enjoy painting and writing, which allow me to explore my creativity in different forms. I am also passionate about electronic music and often find inspiration in its experimental sound. History and cinematography fascinate me, and I love diving into films and historical narratives that offer new perspectives on culture and society.

Kurt Vonnegut’s Cat’s Cradle is a meaningful book to me. 

RELOCATION

The key factor that influenced my decision to leave Ukraine at the beginning of 2025 was the ongoing war. It was a hard decision.

Actually, this is my second time in Austria. The first time I arrived in Vienna was in June 2022, initially as a transit point, but circumstances made my family and me stay longer. During that time, we gradually adapted to life in Austria and tried to continue our professional and cultural activities while staying connected to Ukraine. After more than a year in Austria, I returned to Ukraine. I kept working in the cultural field in Kyiv until early 2025, when I came back to Vienna once again.

The first months of 2022 were very chaotic. However, in September I joined the project Open LOT by Das LOT and took part in the exhibition of Ukrainian artists MYT’. At that time, though, I had no clear idea of what I should do. My limited knowledge of German didn’t help either.

The beginning of 2025 felt very different. This time, I was much better prepared and had improved my German. I started looking for a job and joined the Young Curators Club, an organisation in Vienna that helps young cultural professionals gain their first experience. Still, finding a suitable full-time position remained a challenge.

PROFESSIONAL PATH IN AUSTRIA

I first began seriously looking for a job here in March 2025. It started with my participation in the Young Curators Club, where I helped organise an exhibition and got my first hands-on experience in the Austrian art community.

I think the main differences between my professional field in Ukraine and in Austria are not only specific to the cultural field, but rather reflect broader working approaches. In Ukraine, the pace of work is often extremely fast, because there’s a sense of urgency, as if every task “should have been done yesterday.” This can be explained by the fact that Ukrainians live in a state of constant danger and instability. In Austria, on the other hand, even though people are involved in many projects, the workflow tends to be more balanced and planned.

This difference has its advantages on both sides. Ukrainians have learned to be very efficient and adaptable under pressure, while in Austria, I appreciate the emphasis on sustainability and long-term planning. What was quite surprising for me at first was the culture of long-term planning, to discuss projects for 2027, 2030, or even 2035. In Ukraine, it often feels uncertain or even unrealistic to plan that far ahead. But I’ve come to value this approach as it allows for more stability and strategic growth.

Austria’s cultural field values professionals who are interculturally competent, digitally competent (in art practice even innovative) and open to international collaboration. Among Ukrainians, I notice a growing number of specialists who bring a strong sense of adaptability, ingenuity and resilience. These qualities are shaped by our recent experiences. Many Ukrainian professionals are highly motivated to integrate, to learn, and to contribute actively to the local cultural and professional environment. I believe these qualities make Ukrainians valuable contributors to Austria’s dynamic and diverse cultural scene.

EXPERIENCE IN THE PROGRAM

That was quite a funny moment with my expectations about the outcomes. Just for fun, I applied to participate in a Meteorology Conference scheduled for autumn 2025. I have absolutely no connection to meteorology, but I thought it could be interesting. After that, I applied to join the Professional Integration HUB 3.0, thinking that if I were selected, I might have to miss the Meteorology Conference.

Then, just two weeks before the HUB 3.0 results were announced, I received an email declining my participation in the Conference because I am not a meteorologist. I wasn’t surprised, but one thought immediately came to mind: “No more scheduling conflict! That must mean I’ll get the internship!” And here I am, at the Ministry of Arts and Culture, working on exciting cultural projects!

When I recall my first day at the internship, I remember that it was the 1st of September, little students were everywhere, and I felt excited, almost as if it were my first day at school as well. I was introduced to so many kind people and kept saying, “Es freut mich.” And truly, es hat mich gefreut! I was sincerely happy to meet all these friendly and welcoming professionals, whose warmth made me feel instantly at home.

The most valuable insight I gained during the program is how connected the international cultural scene is. Now I feel like a part of it. Visiting the annual Creative Europe Desks Meeting in Brussels and meeting cultural professionals from across Europe showed me how important it is to build connections and collaborate across borders. This experience reminded me that sharing ideas and working together makes cultural projects stronger and more impactful.

My main achievement during the program was gaining practical experience and proving myself, which led to my internship being extended. It showed me that I can contribute meaningfully to international cultural projects and strengthen my confidence in this field.

The main value of the HUB for me is its people: the participants, program organizers, my coworkers, and everyone I met during my internship. Their openness, support, and willingness to share knowledge made the experience truly inspiring and helped me feel connected to the Austrian cultural community.

INTEGRATION IN AUSTRIA

I would rate my level of integration in Austria 6 out of 10. I still have a lot to discover.

To me, “integration” means being part of a community, not being alone and being able to be yourself while continuing your path in new circumstances. When I compare my not-at-all-integrated self from 2022 with my integrated-enough self from 2025, the difference is clear. In 2022, I wasn’t truly myself. I couldn’t comfortably talk to strangers, share stories, or make jokes in German. I couldn’t contribute to projects I cared about, use my skills, or show my best and most authentic sides. Of course, integration might also depend on perception, people can still feel unintegrated even if they have a job in Austria, Austrian friends, and loved ones. For me, being integrated is about feeling confident and fully able to participate, contribute, and express themselves.

When it comes to practical steps I have taken toward integration — networking, project participation, job applications, and attending events — I drew on my experience as an event manager in Ukraine, where I was used to attending events at least once a week. In Vienna, it felt natural for me to seek out organizations offering book presentations, poetry evenings, and public discussions with artists, writers, and film directors. I attended many of these, and even though I was mostly a silent observer at the time, I already felt like a part of Viennese cultural life. Attending events proved to be the most effective step for me, as it allowed me to immerse myself in the local cultural scene, observe, learn, and gradually start connecting with people and opportunities.

This program helped me become a part of Viennese cultural life as a professional, not just as a visitor. I now feel much more confident in my abilities and more capable of contributing to projects and initiatives.

PERSPECTIVE

On a scale from 1 to 10, I would rate my chances of returning to Ukraine as 10. I am certain that I will return to Ukraine. I want it to remain a meaningful and integral part of my life. I would consider returning when the time feels right for me.

REFLECTIONS

The most challenging moment in my integration journey in Austria was adjusting to a new professional and cultural environment while learning to communicate and contribute confidently in German. There were times when I felt limited by language or unfamiliarity with local professional norms, which made it difficult to fully express my skills and ideas. Over time, attending events and Study Visits by Professional Integration HUB, networking, learning and practicing helped me overcome these challenges and feel more confident and integrated.

As a Ukrainian professional in Austria, I sometimes feel that there could be more openness toward professionals with non-Austrian backgrounds. While some organizations are less familiar with international professionals, many others are inclusive and supportive, creating valuable opportunities for collaboration. Initiatives like the Professional Integration HUB are excellent examples of how such networks and support can be fostered!

If I were to describe the Professional Integration HUB in one sentence, I would say it is a magic key that unlocked the doors to my professional future.

Photos: Valerie Loudon

• Series of Interviews with Participants of the Professional Integration HUB 3.0 Program.