Project Manager at SES
AMCHAM: Please introduce yourself to our readers so they know who you are and how you have come to Luxembourg.
VICTORIA MCCARTHY: I am Victoria, a result-driven and socially active woman. I’m one of those people who prefers to plan, as I believe that “if you do not make your plan, you will serve someone else’s.” However, in 2022, that was not the case. I had to make changes due to the awful political situation in my country. Fear can deplete your resources, prompting you to run as far as you can. Consequently, on the 3rd of March, I, together with my son (who had just turned 10 at the time), ended up in Luxembourg—a country I was scarcely aware of—knowing absolutely no one and having no idea how things worked here. However, this is starting to change, as in each of my career domains, I tend to employ the same logic: first, to learn the subject by doing, and then implement best practices to drive business improvements. Here is how I have developed myself in the dynamic investment environment back in Kiev. For the past two years, I have been working in the progressive satellite business in Luxembourg.
What is your assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of Luxembourg as a business location?
Luxembourg boasts a supportive government, pro-business laws, a multicultural workforce, and a strategically central location in Europe—factors contributing to its attractiveness as an international business destination. However, its small size may limit growth opportunities for some businesses, and the cost of living and doing business can be relatively high compared to other countries. Additionally, its dependency on the financial sector could pose risks in times of economic downturns. To mitigate these risks, businesses may consider diversifying their operations into other sectors beyond finance, leveraging Luxembourg’s strong infrastructure and skilled workforce in areas such as technology, logistics, or renewable energy.
As foreigner coming to Luxembourg from Ukraine with your son, please give your assessment of the process of settling, finding a job and housing and arranging a school for your son?
As my big move was not planned but forced, I had to figure out everything upon my arrival. My priorities were to find a school, a job, and an apartment. I’m not the best example of settling in Luxembourg because of the circumstances, but I can reassure that a dynamic approach helped, and very shortly, my son successfully passed all the interviews and became a student at the International Lënster Lycee in Junglinster. In parallel, my job interviews were very intense, ranging from 2 to 4 interviews a day, and by the end of March, I signed a contract directly with SES Astra. However, finding housing turned out to be our biggest challenge in Luxembourg. Simply put, I was not an attractive tenant, and it took me a few months to find a decent place to live. I believe supportive letters and recommendations from the office and my host family helped. Sometimes it seems I was lucky, but I truly believe that luck is like the cherry on top of the cake it comes to those who made more than necessary, go above and beyond; so, every evening before I go to bed, feeling tired, I know it was not luck, it is the result of daily work, its my routine and my courage to overcome the challenges; and I have my son as my best engine!
Thank you for joining AMCHAM and becoming the co-Chair of our Entrepreneur/small business committee! What are the objectives you wish to accomplish?
I am very honored to have been elected as a co-Chair of the Entrepreneur Committee. My beliefs are closely aligned with the Committee’s mission. Our aim in the Entrepreneur Committee is to facilitate, encourage, and promote entrepreneurial activity and success in Luxembourg and beyond, particularly for English-speaking entrepreneurs in Luxembourg. In this light, we have successfully launched the Entrepreneur Networking Club. It offers a great opportunity for business owners to engage with like-minded individuals, share experiences, and, most importantly, collaborate.
After the recent election, AMCHAM has written a 4 page letter to the principal Ministers of the new government. Are you satisfied on behalf of yourself and your constituency that the final AMCHAM letter appropriately recognized and addresses the issues of concern to independents, SMEs and foreign workers and entrepreneurs?
As a representative of the Entrepreneurs Committee, I want to convey our appreciation for advocating for Entrepreneurial and Corporate rights to the government of Luxembourg. In my view, the letter comprehensively outlines the challenges we encounter in our daily operations and presents the most effective strategies and solutions to tackle them. I am confidant that our new government will take decisive action to address these issues. Implementing a reduction of the corporate tax rate to at least 21% and streamlining administrative procedures, along with elevating English to an official and legal language in Luxembourg, will significantly bolster SMEs, thus positively impacting the Luxembourg economy.
What additional issues do your personally want AMCHAM to fight for?
I believe it’s crucial for AMCHAM to continue advocating for policies that foster innovation, support digital transformation, and promote sustainable practices. Furthermore, efforts to enhance international trade relations, facilitate access to capital for startups and SMEs, and improve the regulatory environment would greatly benefit our business community. AMCHAM’s advocacy on these fronts would contribute significantly to the long-term prosperity and competitiveness of Luxembourg. I’m confident that AMCHAM, as a well-respected and trusted institution, has the influence, knowledge, and experience to lobby for entrepreneurial and corporate interests to the benefit of Luxembourg.
Now that you and your son are settled into Luxembourg, do you consider it a “home” or a temporary place of residence?
Luxembourg has become our home—a place where we have established roots, built relationships, and become part of the community. From initially being an unknown country to us, it has evolved into a place where we feel comfortable, safe, and welcomed. So, yes, Luxembourg is indeed our home.
How do you feel about the quality of life in Luxembourg, and have you encountered any challenges or cultural differences since moving, and how have you adapted?
Luxembourg offers a high quality of life with excellent healthcare, safety, and amenities. We integrated rather quickly, but the most challenging aspect has been navigating bureaucratic processes in French, particularly since most official documents are in that language. Despite this hurdle, through community engagement and seeking support, we’ve managed to adapt and embrace our new life here.
