Getting to know the ESTC Team - Introducing Lydia

We thought it's about time you guys got to know our new host mentors in the ESTC office. This week, we're interviewing Lydia Berlad. Lydia was born in the Ukraine, and moved to Wellington when she was five. She speaks Ukrainian, German, French, Russian and English and loves to learn new languages and using those languages when travelling around the world. After spending 3 semesters studying in Germany, Lydia is back in NZ and currently completing a Bachelor of Arts Honours in International Relations. She is also an avid vege gardener!

Lydia hard at work at ESTC.

How did you end up at your desk here in the ESTC office?

Through my studies I became interested in development work and I wanted to see how a non-profit development organization worked. I saw the position advertised on the university website and thought I'd apply. I came in to the office and had a chat to Eliza and Lauren for about an hour, and here I am!

So... what do you actually DO here?

Facebook. Just kidding. As the Media and Communications Coordinator I spend some of my time emailing and connecting people, writing letters and updating social networks. I have also written a few scripts for our Eat So They Can DVD and help make up other resources, like videos and presentations.

Lydia is also our ESTC contact person for our partner organisation in South America.

What drew you to Eat So They Can?
I checked out the website and thought it was really cool. I also thought the name sounded fun and catchy. The name also mentioned my favourite hobby of eating so I thought this was the place for me.

(You can often find Lydia snacking while she works...)

What's the best thing about working for ESTC?

Working with friendly people that take the time to chat in the morning. The Foozball table also provides some fun!

If you could go anywhere right now, where would you go?

Mexico. I would love to see my Mexican friends, eat some burritos and drink some tequila while enjoying the rich culture and learning a Spanish word here and there.

If you were a pie, what flavour would you be and why? 

A potato-top mince and cheese pie. Because it's everything you could want in a pie... pastry, potato, cheese and mince! So satisfying.

Lydia is our Media and Communications Co-ordinator and our South American contact person. If you have a question relating to these areas, you contact her here.

- Fiona and the ESTC team.