Victoria Meven’s journey with Edelman has been anything but ordinary. Starting out as a trainee in Munich back in 2017, she quickly discovered a love for working across markets and connecting with colleagues around the world. Fast forward to today, and Victoria is based in the UAE, embracing life and work in a completely new cultural setting. In this interview, she shares what inspired her move, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and the experiences that have made this chapter so rewarding.
Tell us about your Edelman journey
I joined Edelman in June 2017 as a trainee in the Munich office, working across a mix of brand, corporate and tech clients. Over the following year, , I spent time in both Munich and Berlin and had the chance to work with teams across multiple markets, which quickly became one of the most fulfilling parts of the job. I also spent a month in the London office, which I really enjoyed because it allowed me to work more closely with colleagues I’d only collaborated with remotely before.
After almost seven years in Germany, an opportunity came up to support the tech team in the Middle East. I had always hoped to experience Edelman beyond my home market, so even though the move felt daunting, it also felt like the right step. I’ve now been in the UAE for just over a year.
What has been one of the most memorable or meaningful experiences you’ve had since relocating?
One thing I’ve really valued since relocating is working with such an international team. People here come from all over the world , and that naturally brings a range of perspectives into our day-to-day work. It shapes how we think, how we tackle challenges and how we learn from each other. Being part of that environment has been a real highlight of my time here.
How has working in a new cultural environment influenced the way you collaborate or communicate at work?
Working in a new cultural environment comes with its own way of doing things, and getting used to that has definitely influenced how I work. The pace, the expectations and the style of communication can differ from what I was familiar with, so I’ve had to be more conscious about how I communicate andset expectations. It’s made me more flexible in my approach and more intentional in how I collaborate day to day.
What aspect of your host country’s culture have you particularly enjoyed or connected with?
Something I’ve really appreciated since moving here is how many different cultures live side by side. You feel it everywhere – in the workplace, in conversations and in the smallest everyday interactions. There’s such a variety of perspectives and experiences around you, and I’ve enjoyed being part of an environment that brings all of that together.
Can you share an example of a project or responsibility in your host office that helped you grow professionally?
A standout experience for me was a secondment to one of my longest-standing clients. I’ve worked with the brand since my early days at Edelman, so I knew it well, but supporting the comms team directly gave me a completely new perspective. It felt a bit like switching sides for a moment - seeing how decisions are made internally, helping plan and deliver major events and working with teams across different markets. It stretched me in all the right ways and definitely helped me grow professionally.
What positive impact has this move had on your life overall — personally or professionally?
Looking back over the past year, a few things stand out immediately. I’ve met people who’ve become genuinely important to me and made friends that will stay with me long after this chapter.
Being based in such a well-connected part of the world has fueled my love of travel. It’s allowed me to explore places I hadn’t been to before, and many of my favourite moments from this year came from those trips.
Professionally, stepping into a new environment has pushed me to grow in ways I wouldn’t have experienced otherwise. It’s also made me a lot more resilient, both in how I work and how I navigate day-to-day life.
Victoria Meven is an Account Director on the Technology team based in Abu Dhabi.
