Iryna Stewart- Russian Translator and Intepreter

Before making the big move from the Ukraine to New Zealand in March 2002 I knew very little about this country. I was told not to bring a lot of thermal clothes because it is so warm here. Big mistake!  I left my cosy leather jackets and warm woollen sweaters behind. Moving from the European early spring to the New Zealand autumn was quite a challenge for the body to adjust to the climate.

Apart of physical there were both emotional and cultural shocks. It is still not so easy to get used to seeing the likes of bare footed children going off to school. We were all brought up to take great pride in our personal appearance and express our femineity. What is it here with people wearing pyjamas in the late evening in supermarkets? Then I would add unkempt hair styles, lack of make up on kiwi women’s faces, slack kiwi dress codes (especially at church), not taking shoes off before entering a house, changing a baby on the floor? Even positive thinks like a pot luck dinner or smile after eye contact were very unusual for me. Then I could go on for hours about the difficulties to understand kiwi English….

But then you can’t always bring all your own customary rules and regulations when you begin a new life in a very foreign country. You have to be positive and find thinks that brighten your life (lest your romance fades away). I have tried hard to be part of the wider community to learn about the many people and traditions of this country. The Tauranga Multicultural Council has been a great support. To improve my English I took a one year correspondence course, then a polytechnic computer course, Kiwiana with Te Wananga o Aotearoa,  a teaching refresher course at Waikato University,  Real Estate  course at BOP Polytechnic.  Now, being much more confident in English and using the advantage of being bilingual I have established my own business Tauranga Russian Translating service.

My daughter who didn’t speak a word of English when we came here completed this year Waikato University degree with double major .My husband A G (Sandy) Stewart, Doctor of Education, is very interesting person with a lot of talents and interests. We enjoy traveling and dancing together at local dancing clubs, while making lots of friends (as well as practising my English). We have beautiful garden with blooming camellia and orchids in winter then roses and begonias in summer.

It is not easy live far away from the country you were born and grew up (I was actually born in the Siberian North). My advice to all immigrants - if you make a decision to change your life - be positive! Don’t concentrate at negative sides of life. Look forward with smile with you face. Life is what you make it.
And if you ever need my help regarding Russian language I will be happy to assist with:

• Translating and Interpreting Russian-English-Russian;
• Russian language lessons in Tauranga and through Skype;
• Russian speaking tours in Auckland, Tauranga, Rotorua and Taupō;
• Visa support to Russia and CIS countries.

• Учёба в  Новой Зеландии ( Тауранга и Окланд). Помощь в выборе учебного заведения и оформлении студенческой визы;
• Услуги русскоговорящего гида в экскурсиях по Северному Острову (Окланд, Тауранга, Роторуа, Таупо);
• Письменные и устные переводы в Тауранге:  русский - английский - русский;
• Визовая поддержка в Россию и страны СНГ.

Iryna Stewart

Phone: 021 0226 2619
Email: nzstudy@rambler.ru
www.russianhelpnz.com