“Stick to your guns” advocates Dasha

“Just say yes and be prepared  to try everything,” says journalism student Dasha Kuprienko, who hails from Russia.

She has always been interested in photography and her father encouraged her to study, and she has combined her interests with a communications degree.

“Nothing really inspired me, I went with what I was strong in; let’s say I just always liked taking photographs… my father got me into it.”

Wintec’s profession-oriented and project-driven journalism course became a mainstay for Dasha Kuprienko to pursue her career. With her willing-to-learn attitude, her blogs and video portfolios reflect her creativity and passion to excel in the domain of multi-media journalism.

Dasha, an international student at Wintec,   has concentrated on digital reporting during her studies and hopes to work for a daily media outlet.

“To be honest I don’t even know where I will be in three months, my life could change, it’s OK for me to be by myself… hopefully I will work for a big newspaper.”

While  investigative journalism has never been to her taste, Dasha enjoys constructing multi-media stories about individuals.

Dasha says studying in NZ has been made easier by the immigration authorities. “They didn’t do anything wrong with my visa, it was always on time, it was very sharp.”

Her advice to other international students? “Don’t be embarrassed about your language, just be yourself, I have never been  snubbed and I amalways open to others’ help. I am positive and try to say yes  if other people ask me if I need help. I always feel that maybe they could teach me something.”