Yulia Kovanova

Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme

Name: Yulia Kovanova
Age: 27
Born: Irkutsk, Russia
Time in Scotland: Since August 2003

Situated near the Russian-Mongolian border, more than 3,000 miles east of Moscow, lies one of the largest cities in Siberia – Irkutsk. It could hardly be further away from Scotland. Yet for linguistics graduate Yulia Kovanova, coming to Britain was a long-held dream that eventually brought her to live and work in Edinburgh.

"I studied languages and developed a love of British culture and language. I'd always wanted to come to the UK perhaps for a year after university," Yulia explains. "My first thought was London because that's where everyone goes, and then I heard about the Edinburgh Festival. Having been invited up by some friends, I came for the week and stayed for the month! Moved by such an incredible experience, I just wanted to stay."

Yulia's first degree was a Masters in interpretation and translation from Irkutsk's State Linguistic University, where she studied English as well as French and Spanish. Interested in applying her language skills in the tourism industry, Yulia was then accepted on a two-year HND in Scottish Tourism and Languages at Stevenson College in Edinburgh.

"It was fascinating travelling around Scotland and learning all about the country," she says. "Scotland is an absolutely beautiful place. It's really compact compared to Russia, where it takes ages to get from one place to the other. Here in Edinburgh you’re within half an hour of stunning countryside and picturesque lochs."

In the second year of her course, Yulia went to work part-time as a Marketing Assistant at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. After completing her HND she was accepted for a two year visa under the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme and joined VisitScotland's Business Tourism Unit as a Marketing Executive.

The Business Tourism Unit (BTU) is VisitScotland's business/group travel division. Its primary goal is to raise interest in and awareness of the vast array of conference, exhibition, meeting and incentive venues and activities Scotland offers, regardless of the size or nature of the event. The BTU's mission is to expand the volume and value of discretionary business tourism to Scotland, aiming to achieve 50% growth of the tourism industry by 2015.

Yulia says: "They were not actually looking for a Russian-speaking person at the time, and the skills are now invaluable. My marketing experience was useful because the job involved working with websites and printed publications, organising events and working with European markets (Germany and Spain) and North America. VisitScotland only recently started working with the Russian market about a year ago, so things are moving quickly – it's a very exciting time for me!"

Being Russian and a fluent English speaker gives Yulia a huge advantage when marketing Scotland to her own people: "I understand what Russians are looking for," she explains. "I also understand their behaviour and culture, so it's easier for me to approach them.

"At the moment it’s mostly the high-end, luxury market. They're looking for 5-star hotels, unusual venues and castles. Russians are very interested in Scottish history, tradition and Royal connections. They also love the country itself and the beautiful landscape."

Yulia hopes to build a long-term career within Scotland's tourism industry. She will be studying through the Chartered Institute of Marketing to achieve professional marketing qualifications.

Related Links

• Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme
• Business Tourism Unit