A treasure trove of opportunities – The story of Alessia from Qatar Airways

Moving to Poland

Leaving one’s home country to work abroad can be a big decision. Why did you decide to move to Poland?

Traveling has always been a significant part of my life, as it allows me to satisfy my curiosity about the world and indulge in new experiences. Hence, my decision to join in January 2020 Qatar Airways as a Customer Services Agent in Poland. Poland has proven to be an unexpected treasure trove of opportunities, offering numerous prospects for personal and professional growth.

Did you have any worries before moving here? If so, what did you find most stressful?

My main worries when relocating were finding a suitable apartment and navigating language challenges. I was concerned about the affordability and the process of securing a place to live since I had experience in France in which I needed to go through interviews with flat mates. However, after just three days of moving to Poland, I managed to find an apartment super close to the place where I was working. I used Facebook groups dedicated to this specific topic where individuals and agencies advertise available apartments. Furthermore, the company was paying for a relocation package for the first 7 days. Despite the potential fear of a language barrier, I discovered with pleasure that the majority of people here speak English as well.

Professional Experience and Working for Qatar Airways

Could you tell us something about your professional experience?

Joining the airline industry during a global crisis presented its fair share of challenges. Despite the hardships, this experience has made me even more resilient. I’ve learned to adapt to changing circumstances, embrace flexibility, and deliver exceptional customer service even in the face of adversity. I embraced the role of Supervisor in the European Contact Center at Qatar Airways from September 2021. I had the privilege of leading different teams and contributing to their personal and professional development.

How did you secure a job at Qatar Airways in Poland?

I know three languages (Italian, French and English) and the skills I acquired during my academic path (communication, management, international relations) for sure helped me obtain my job and then the promotion to Team Leader.

What is your favorite part about your job? And from another side of the spectrum: what is the least favorite part?

I’d say the benefits the company is offering are just amazing. I flew to Phuket, Bali and Doha in four years, and I also had many other small trips in Europe thanks to our discounts. That is on top of the fact that for first two years I could not travel because of COVID. Moreover, I like that we work in a very fast-paced environment, you literally never get bored! There are always new policies and procedures to adapt to and this makes my job thrilling.

Hmm… I would say that my least favorite part is the high workload. During peak seasons the number of demands from customers can be higher. Because of that, we can have, for example, more “last minute” requests to handle and escalate, which can lead to work under pressure.

How does Qatar Airways help new employees adapt to the organization’s environment?

We have a relocation package for the first seven days for people coming from outside of Poland. Honestly, it helped me a lot, because I was less worried thinking that for the first week I would have a place in which I could stay on the company’s dime.

Living in Poland

What are the stereotypes about Poland and Poles? And how accurate do you think they are in reality?

Before coming to Poland, I had a different image of how the cities could look like. I thought it was common to find rural landscapes than cities. However, the reality is far from that, and urban areas in the biggest cities are filled with historical buildings and skyscrapers, as well as elegant gardens and well-curated parks.

In your experience, are Poles difficult or easy to make friends with? Are there any topics you should avoid when talking with them?

It was a little bit hard at the beginning of my experience. This is because I moved here at the beginning of the pandemic and the only place in which I could meet people was my workplace where the majority of the employees come from abroad. However, I’ve got a couple of extremely warm-hearted friends.

What do you like about the Polish culture?

I like food of course. I love “rosół” which is my comfort food in winter. I love “tartar” and also a really simple but super tasty salad “mizeria”. Well… actually I tried almost everything since I came here four years ago and overall, I like eating Polish cuisine, especially during winter since it’s full of hot dishes like soups.

Regarding music, I discovered also a Polish group “Bass Astral x Igo” and I often listen to their songs.

Do you have any advice for foreigners who are considering moving to Poland? Or perhaps any helpful tips that could make the acclimatization process smoother and less stressful?

Moving to Poland as an Italian citizen was extremely easy for me since Italy as Poland is part of the European Union. I’d suggest trying to embrace Polish culture every time there is an occasion to feel part of the community and not to worry much about bureaucratic procedures.

If you’d like to learn more about career opportunities at Qatar Airlines, check out:

Careers – Qatar Airways