Ukraine: In a Nutshell

At the moment I am sitting in my office- located in the small town of Horodok, Ukraine. The nearest big city is KHmelnytski, the capital of our "oblast" which can be described as a state. This city is located halfway between the capital of Ukraine- Kyiv- and a famous western city- Lyviv- but a little south. I work at a gymnasia here- meaning a school from 5th grade to 11th grade (there is no 12th grade) where kids have tested into this school. Although I am not a teacher, I do things like help teach healthy lifestyles classes, hold teacher's seminars, have English clubs, and am involved in after school activities. It is not exactly what I imagined when I left America- but I do enjoy my school.

Another big part of my service is the work that I do with the school for children with special needs in my town. Two times a week I visit the school where I have art projects, teach songs, and just play with the children. I had a summer camp for these kids, and also conducted a "field day" or a day of sports- with the help of student volunteers from my school.

A year and a half ago- April 1st, 2009- I arrived in Ukraine. After three days of an entrance conference- I was put in a small town near Kyiv called Nosivka- where two and a half months I lived with a host family. During this time I had four other volunteers with me- all living with host families. The purpose of this training was to learn Ukrianian language, cross cultural lessons, and learn how to teach in the classroom and conduct community activities. And I learned A LOT!!! It was so long ago that is hard to even remember training- even though I know that I had a blast. I lived with a 23 year old young woman- Ira- my host "sister" and a host father in an apartment above their pharmacy. Every day I would walk to my language teachers house with another volunteer and learn Ukrainian for 3-4 hours. Then after class we had classes in cross cultural understandings, taught lessons in a local school, or worked on our community project. At the end of training we left our town- after many tears from us and our host families, and went to Kyiv to have our swearing in ceremony.

At swearing in volunteers meet their counterparts- or the Ukrainians who live in their new towns who will help them and be their partners for the next two years. MY counterpart's name is Antonina Ivanivna- and she is the vice principle of my school. She also does not speak any English! Swearing in is two days where we learn where we will live for the next two years, learn about our jobs in Peace Corps more in depth, and meet our Regional Managers- or our PC bosses. the whole process is somewhat overwhelming- all of the new people, and knowing finally where we will live and work!

The swearing in ceremony consists of some speeches and an oath that we will uphold the constitution and try to share peace in our towns. After this ceremony I had to get all of my stuff and take a 6 hour marshutka (a long distance van) to my new home. It was- scary, and exciting. When I got to my new apartment I was met by so many people- English teachers, a German teacher named Alona, and my landlady. It was so overwhelming!!! finally, by 1:30 AM I was alone in the house I would live for two years.

Sometimes I still think about that. I was looking at some pictures yesterday of me and my group during training. It is so hard to believe that that time was so long ago. I feel like I am such a different person now, and it is funny to remember when I was new to Ukraine. When I did not know how to buy a ticket, or when the bazaar was. I still do not know EVERYTHING that there is to know- but I am learning and learning every day.

So tune in next time for more- memories with Megan- my first summer!

love- me