Tanya Benito with with moderator James Thomson. (source: Elizaveta Blahodarova)
Originally from Mexico, Tanya Benito moved to Slovakia for a job with her American company. Little did she know that within just a few days of her arrival, she would meet her future husband.
In what sounds like a true romance story, Benito not only won her husband’s heart but also took over his job. Once the project she worked on ended, she was determined to return to Slovakia. To make it happen, she applied to an astounding 80 job positions, proving her dedication to building a new life in her adopted country.
Benito’s experience in Mexico had shaped her work ethic early on. Overworking was the norm—she juggled three jobs at a time and had been working since the age of 13. “I found myself working for a living in a very sad way,” she reflects. However, her perspective shifted completely once she started working in Slovakia. For the first time, she realised she could have a balanced life while maintaining a career.
In Slovakia, a salary allows you to pay for rent, food, clothes, and services, Benito explains, highlighting a stark contrast with her experience in Mexico. The financial security and work-life balance she found in Slovakia gave her a newfound sense of stability and well-being.
Now employed in a diverse company, Benito appreciates the understanding she receives as a foreigner. She has had the chance to meet people from different backgrounds, which has helped her integrate into Slovak society. But her connection to Slovakia goes beyond the workplace—her marriage to a Slovak has deepened her ties to the country and its people.
