Elizaveta Zaytseva ’12, ‘15

Elizaveta Zaytseva '12, ‘15 believes learning to adapt in culturally diverse environments is one of the most valuable skills graduates should develop as they think about post-grad life. 

“Get your passport and travel the globe. It will open your perspective and you will never look at this world the same,” said Zaytseva, a regional reporting manager for Atlas Copco.

She manages the financial reporting process for Atlas Copco teams across the world in North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. And for Zaytseva, being able to travel internationally fuels her interest in different cultures.

“The diverse environments within my company really allow me to absorb different cultures and stay open-minded, which enriches you personally and professionally,” she said.

Zaytseva is no stranger to adjusting to new environments. She made a decision to leave her native Russia to move to the U.S. and play tennis for Winthrop, recruited by Hall of Famer Cid Carvalho, the now retired women's head tennis coach.

She recalled that the Winthrop community – the coaches, athletic director, international center, admissions office – welcomed her with open arms during the recruitment process. She also fell in love with the location of Winthrop, a short distance from two of her favorite places: the mountains and the ocean.

Zaytseva admits the actual transition was not easy. She was completely alone in the U.S., away from her family, and unfamiliar with college culture and the U.S. education system. The first few months at Winthrop, she struggled in her classes with the language barrier.  

“Coming from a different culture in general, it was already quite an adjustment for me. It was even more difficult to study in a foreign language and to complete my demanding athletic requirements on the tennis team,” said Zaytseva, who has trained as a tennis player since she was a child.

But eventually, she was able to find her groove. The small class sizes, one-to-one connections with her professors, she said, helped her “grow and develop” as a student-athlete. One of her fondest moments was winning four conference championships between 2008-11 with the tennis team and representing Winthrop in the NCAA championships.

“All the hard work and difficult moments have paid off to bring me where I am today,” said Zaytseva, who is still in close contact with the tennis team, often coming to games and meeting the players.

Although Zaytseva only sees her family in Russia a couple of times a year over the last 12 years, she has enjoyed her journey living in the U.S. and the fulfillment her job brings. She often challenges herself to get out of her comfort zone.

“I try to keep an open mind and stay adaptable to change. Change is terrifying and so is getting out of the comfort zone. It might be scary to take that new opportunity or promotion and the timing might not seem right, but challenging situations and getting out of the comfort zone is what makes you grow,” Zaytseva said. “Being comfortable with feeling uncomfortable and learning to adapt is one of the most valuable skills. I do my best to keep learning continuously,” she added.

 

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