Good Girls Series: Karina - The Multilingual Maven of Tech and Travel
It was a sunny morning seven years ago when I first met Karina. Our rendezvous was at a Paris Baguette coffee shop for a casual coffee date. Destiny, it seemed, had a hand in it—we showed up practically wearing the same outfit: jeans, loafers, and cute tops. It felt like an instant connection, and from that moment on, she became my go-to confidante, cheerleader, and partner-in-crime. Fast forward to today, Karina has moved from Kazakhstan to the Bay Area, then to Germany, and now the Netherlands. Despite the distance, she’s the kind of friend who always answers the phone, no matter what.
This month, as part of my Good Girls series on Good Body Lifestyle, I sat down with Karina to talk about her journey across continents, balancing life in tech, her take on mental health, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.
Life & Career
What inspired you to move from Kazakhstan to the Netherlands, and how has that journey shaped you?
I was living in the Bay Area at the time, in the USA, and the opportunity presented itself to move to Europe, which I took. I went through a gruesome divorce in the USA, and it was difficult to stay so far away from family. Financially, it was tough, and living the so-called American Dream—work-home all the time—was draining.
California is incredibly beautiful, but it’s full of contrasts: homeless people on the streets juxtaposed with cutting-edge tech innovations. Some people argued I shouldn’t leave tech, saying I’d miss countless opportunities. But I learned you should never listen to others. Your path is yours alone. Don’t emulate or copy—do what feels right for you.
Working in tech and pursuing a master’s degree while buying a house sounds intense! How do you balance it all without losing your mind?
Buying a house in a foreign country, working full-time, and doing an AI master’s is insane—just saying it out loud is exhausting! I leaned heavily on my support network: my mom, my sisters, my boyfriend, and my friends.
I had multiple breakdowns during the house-buying process, but one thing kept me going. I, a woman from Kazakhstan, was buying a house in the Netherlands by myself. My grandmother was illiterate, and even in the USA, women couldn’t open bank accounts without a man’s approval until the 1960s. We’ve come so far as women, and I remind myself of that often.
What’s your secret to thriving in such a fast-paced industry while still having time for yourself?
The tech industry is relentless. Today we’re in the narrow AI era; tomorrow, it could be general AI. I try to adjust and never become complacent. Planning is crucial—I plan everything to the last detail. But resting? That’s something I struggle with, and it’s my goal for 2025.
Fitness & Mental Health
What does your workout routine look like, and how do you stay motivated to stay fit?
I wouldn’t call myself super fit, but I make it work. My boyfriend and I train with a personal trainer, which has been fun. We’re also training for a half-marathon in Luxembourg this May.
My daily routine includes a lot of walking, virtual HIIT workouts with my friend twice a week (we started during the pandemic), and hitting the gym 1-2 times a week with my boyfriend.
How do you manage your mental health while juggling so many responsibilities?
I’m a firm believer in an active approach to mental health—therapy and medication are essential for me. I have depression, so I ensure I’m proactive. Whether it’s talk therapy or working with professionals for medication, I prioritize it.
When I feel overwhelmed, I reassess. I’ll slow down, rest, and figure out where I can lighten my load. Pushing through without addressing mental health isn’t sustainable.
Do you have any tips for building a sustainable lifestyle that supports both physical and mental well-being?
Consistency and discipline are key, though we all struggle with them. Logging off social media, removing toxic people, and learning to say no have been game-changers for me. Walks and home workouts with a friend over Zoom help me stay consistent.
Travel & Life Lessons
As someone so well-traveled, what’s a place that completely changed your perspective, and why?
New Delhi, India, was life-changing. The diversity of cultures, the extreme poverty—it shifts your mindset completely. You realize you already have more than enough.
Iceland, too, was magical. It’s so unique and inspiring that it fueled my wanderlust even more.
What’s one travel hack you swear by that makes every trip better?
Eat at restaurants that don’t have English menus. That’s where the real food is!
What’s the funniest or most memorable experience you’ve had while living abroad?
I’ve lived in the UK, California, Germany, and the Netherlands, but the most memorable was graduating in the UK and finding lifelong friends in California and the Netherlands through Bumble BFF.
Personal Growth & Advice
If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Don’t be scared, don’t waste time, and don’t doubt yourself.
What’s one thing you’ve learned about yourself recently that surprised you?
I’m more insightful than I thought I was.
How do you deal with failure or setbacks, and what keeps you moving forward?
I don’t take failure well, but I’m learning to treat it as a lesson. Once I’ve learned what I can, I try to let it go. It’s a work in progress.
Fun & Relatable
What’s the most Kazakhstan thing about you, even after all these years?
I love eating meat! Sorry, vegans and vegetarians.
If you could swap lives with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?
Victoria Beckham. She has it all—her own fashion house, an incredible career, a beautiful family, and style for days.
What’s your go-to guilty pleasure when you need to unwind?
Thrifting with an audiobook in my ears. I always find something amazing!
Karina’s story is a testament to resilience, ambition, and staying true to yourself. Whether she’s buying a house in a foreign country or training for a half-marathon, She's one of my favorite humans because she is the most non-judgmental person you will ever meet and she is always growing as a person. Like who moves to a foreign country pursues their masters and buys a house in less than two years _ Karina does.
Stay tuned to our next Good Girl coming in February.
2 comments
Extraordinary woman, love her!
Thanks for having me GBL!
Loving this!!!