CHRISTINA ZHURAVLEVA, 29 years old

BATCH: NOVEMBER 2019

"I am proud that I no longer depend on the place, the employer, and my income depends only on me"

POINT A:

I knew nothing, had an office job in a big company, and did not have enough money to live in Moscow. I only dreamed of getting an additional income of 10,000 - 15,000 RUB (~$140-$210) a month.

POINT B:

Now I work as a freelancer, based in Bali. My average monthly income is 200,000 RUB (~$2800). I manage clients in Russia and expats in the USA and Bali.

MY PATH:

FOR FUTURE STUDENTS:

I want to say that each of you can change your life, move to another country, live in a place with a great climate all year round! It all depends on you!

My first salary was only 5,000 RUB ($70). I was incredibly happy and even more inspired. It was shocking that I didn't have to go to the office, waste my resources, time. All the work was just on the phone.

I continued: I got my first cases, other orders, related to design, for example.

Now I have a good client base, my clients recommend me to their friends, and I can sell my services without a portfolio, as an expert.

I am proud that I work in the international market. I want to further develop in this direction and help emigrants abroad promote their businesses through Instagram.

I am proud to live and work in Bali! This is all thanks to the fact that I decided to take "Manageryata" and start from scratch.

Do not give up, and remember, your growth zone is where your fears are. I am sure that my story will motivate you, and you'll achieve amazing results.

The most useful skills I learned: how to make a portfolio, how to interact with bloggers, how to promote a blog through bloggers.

I worked long hours, came home, watched the lectures, did my homework. It was not as easy as you may think.

I started taking the course with just one goal: I wanted to get an additional income - 15,000 more rubles (~$210) along with my basic salary would've been fine.

But I began to do what Polina taught us: writing letters, responding to all job openings. At best, they answered: "No, you're not a good fit for us", and at worst, they ignored me. It was very difficult, but I understood that I shouldn't give up on finding a part-time job!

But what helped me a lot is the realization that I wouldn't depend on the office, that I would be able to live and work where I want. I joined the course and started my freelance career just in time - right before the pandemic.

When I started freelancing, the most difficult thing was not having any experience or skills to sell myself as a professional.