June 20: the story of Yulia Taubin, psychologist

Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine… by 2023, over 100 million people worldwide have been forced to flee their homes. Despite the fact that almost half of all refugees in Europe have a higher education diploma in their pocket (Eurostat, 2020), it takes them around 10 years, an entire decade, to return to their original socio-professional situation.

Yulia Taubin is a psychologist, writer and lecturer, and has founded a medical center in Moscow.

Could you introduce yourself and tell us about your professional career prior to your arrival in Switzerland?

My name is Yulia Taubin. I am a highly developed systemic, analytical and creative thinker. I have the ability to integrate diverse knowledge to achieve certain goals and results, which is confirmed by my life, practical experience and achievements. I have a degree in psychology and a Master’s degree in pedagogy from Russia, am a member of the UN Association of Holistic Psychology, a lecturer, creator of the game Adaptation Accelerator, a medical diagnostic method and founder of a medical center in Moscow.

A nominated writer, I have written and co-written scientific works (including one of the dictionaries of psychology), a collection of poems and transformative psychology stories for adults and children.

There are four paths along my professional path. I’ll just outline the main ones.

I studied in Moscow at the Pedagogical University, Faculty of Psychology and Child Pedagogy… My thirst for knowledge led me to join Moscow State University (with a pass from my university) to learn psychological disciplines from the great scientists who founded psychology in Russia. There, I was offered a job writing a dictionary of Vygotsky’s psychology. I have to admit that I wasn’t a student there, which reinforced the proposal. That’s how I came to be co-author of a psychological dictionary. I was 19 years old. I felt that I had found my professional path in these fields and I intended to finish my year and change universities. But I had a bus accident that prevented me from doing so.

I needed to rebuild my life. I lost my job, I almost lost my home. I had no money for treatment. As I grew up without parents, nobody helped me financially.

Another opportunity opened its doors. I discovered a new field whose specialists offered me their services. My interest was directed in this innovative direction being developed at the Moscow Energy Institute, which lies at the intersection of the logic of medicine and engineering.

After trying it myself, I became a firm believer in this method. I recovered from my accident and co-wrote my method, which has been recognized in this community.

Studies of this method were confirmed by statistical results and it was included in treatment protocols and diagnostic apparatus for bioresonance. And with the results of this work, I took part in speeches at medical congresses from 2003 to 2008.

Despite my youth and the fact that I hadn’t yet completed my studies, I was a speaker at medical conferences.

What were your greatest professional achievements in your home country?

I have several professional achievements that are confirmed by various communities:

- In the field of literature: a literary prize and participation in international literary conferences.

- In the field of psychology: co-author and association membership.

- In the field of bioresonance and engineering: participation in research and cooperation with manufacturers of these medical devices.

- In the field of business: organization and creation of a state-licensed company with the right to hire medical personnel at various levels to provide services in the field of medical field activity.

- In the field of promotion: participation as an expert on radio and television.

How long have you lived in Europe?

I’ve been living in France for 10 years.

Do you feel like you have experienced professional downgrading since your arrival?

Can you tell us about it?

I understand that my adaptation process in France is linked to the fact that not all the skills and diplomas obtained in Russia can be validated and used. I can’t set up the same medical center in France. I can’t take part in the same research and conferences.

So I turned myself into a personal development and wellness coach, and started giving consultations in a tiny home office. It’s too small for me. So I started writing a book and creating a method to facilitate adaptation, because I needed to express my creative nature.

What were the main obstacles you encountered in finding a job that matched your qualifications?

I started building my professional life again right from the start, but… I had to learn French first. The system works differently. My diplomas and certificates are not recognized. I couldn’t validate my professional experience because it was atypical. So I said to myself that I had to come up with a good project that would be useful and accepted in my new environment, and above all that would make me useful for France. That’s why I created an adaptation project.

Can you share a particularly difficult or frustrating moment you experienced while looking for a job in Switzerland?

By adapting, I’ve found a direction that interests me. I’ve realized my potential in the creative process. I’ve created a playful method and written three books. But in France, it’s not possible to publish. I’m neither seen nor (re)known. To get at least one result, I self-published a book. Now I know how it works. But two others are still waiting for their chance.

To implement my method, it’s the same. I needed support. I drew up a business plan for my game and went to SINGA for their support and help in realizing my project for France.

How did you hear about SINGA?

I presented my Accélérateur d’adaptation project to OFII and was referred to SINGA.

What SINGA program(s) have you taken and how did they help you overcome professional downgrading?

I took part in the fifth project incubator called “Bégué”.

Singa helped me to structure and adapt my materials to the requirements of this commercial environment and to understand the possibilities for promoting my method, identifying the structures interested in this product and the procedure for interacting with government agencies.

How did SINGA influence your inclusion in France?

When I arrived at SINGA, I already had French nationality, my company and friends. I didn’t need to integrate in France. But I did need to integrate into the professional community. I didn’t know how to approach this. SINGA opened the doors to this world for me. She showed me how the system works. I discovered the great world of associations. I saw all my blind spots. SINGA helped me to pass on the value of my method to interested structures and companies.

Can you share an experience or a key moment when SINGA had a particular impact on your career?

I dreamed of presenting my project not only to the town hall, but also to the Mayor of Nantes herself and to a minister. I presented it to them. So one of my dreams has already become reality, thanks to SINGA. I’d like to thank the association, its team and volunteers for their support and the opportunities they offer. Special thanks to Chloé Lesterlin for our well-targeted one-to-one meetings.

SINGA actively supports new arrivals in Europe and Canada, helping them to rebuild their network and find a professional activity that matches their skills. SINGA offers entrepreneurial support programs, enabling newcomers to create and develop their own businesses. With 12 incubators in Europe, SINGA has supported over 2,000 entrepreneurs, 50% of whom are women. These initiatives enable ambitious projects to come to fruition, and 60% of incubated companies remain in business after three years.

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Interview conducted as part of SINGA Global’s World Refugee Day awareness campaign on the professional downgrading of refugees on June 20.