Sophie Stec
Property Advisor
Background:
My name is Sophie, born in Canada but Polish by blood. Though my entire childhood was in Canada, the city I lived in was known for its large Polish community, which helped me feel closer to my roots. To add on to my mix, I went to the Netherlands to study International Business at Maastricht University, did my exchange semester in Grenoble, France, and now the newest addition: becoming property advisor in Vilamoura, Portugal. I think that this mix is what piqued my interest in traveling the world and immersing myself into different cultures. I have always believed that when you take risks in life and learn to step out of your comfort zone, you’ll always grow, whether through success or valuable lessons that shape who you become.
What do you like the most about Portugal?
I believe that the main reason for loving Portugal is how rich its culture and history is; each region of the country has hundreds of years of traditions and dishes that are unique yet at the same time similar enough to bring the country together. The other part, in my opinion, is the beautiful nature – from beaches to cliffs, there’s enough to admire and explore for days on end. I will also give an honourable mention to the weather here - I can’t lie that the sun and high temperatures are quite nice additions to life in Portugal, especially when coming from a country where the winters are on average -20 degrees Celsius.
Why do you like working for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Portugal Property?
My immediate thought to this question is how warm and welcoming everyone is. From the moment I stepped through the door even before starting work in Vilamoura, I was already greeted with smiles and a feeling of belonging to a family. Another major aspect is how willing everyone was to help me settle down both in the city and at work. Knowing how beginnings can be a bit nerve-wracking, I can say with pleasure that that wasn’t my case in Vilamoura.
What do you like doing when you’re not working?
The beauty of being in Vilamoura is that life feels like a constant vacation. Once I’m done work, I like to go swimming, whether at the beach or at the pool, I believe that a dip in the water is a great way to end the day. Since I’m more of a night owl, then I like to leave any activities for the evening, such as going out or just sitting at home on my balcony reading or chatting with friends. On the weekend I like to step out and do a day trip, whether to the beach or on a hike, but outdoors for sure.