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Interview with the volunteer of Peace Corps Ukraine

What were your expectations from our country/people/culture before you settled in Ukraine?
- My rowing coach, Nikolay Kurmakov, in university was from Kyiv so he had spoken a lot about his life in Ukraine and being on the Soviet National Rowing Team, so I had expected people to be a lot like him, shy at first but as you get to know them, the warmest and kindest people. I was so excited to come, I had traveled to Romania and Hungary before moving to Ukraine so I was expecting the countryside to look similarly, and I was so excited to see how unique Ukraine would be.

Have the expectations matched the reality?
- Yes definitely, everyone that I met as I got to know them are some of the kindest, most sincere people who were so willing to go out of their way to help me. I love Ukrainian food so much and it was always special to me when I got to cook with my host families or shared a meal with friends.

What impressed you in Ukrainian people?
- Ukrainian people are so proud of their culture, every situation I entered I felt the pride that Ukrainian people had in their towns, city, country, and language. Everyone was so welcoming and would immediately go out of their way to make me feel welcome.

Have you got your favourite place in Ukraine? What was that?
- My favourite place in Ukraine was the place that I called home for about 5 months, Berezne in the Rivenenska Oblast. It was the place where I made beautiful connections with my host family, my school colleagues, and my students. It is such a special place for me, and it really felt like home walking around through the bazaar and sitting in the cafes.

When you were learning Ukrainian, did you enjoy it?
- I very much enjoyed learning Ukrainian and still try to practice at least once a day, and when I call my host families. It is a beautiful language and it allowed me to connect with every Ukrainian that I met and helped me assimilate into the Ukrainian culture every day.

What Ukraine associates with?
- When I think of Ukraine, I think of everyone that holds a special place in my heart, my host families, my colleagues, my students, and other volunteers that I made friends with. Ukraine is the place where I met so many people that I love and care about.

Do you think Ukraine needs more volunteers involved?
- Peace Corps Ukraine is one of the largest, long-standing programs of the United States Peace Corps. One of my favourite parts of being a volunteer was the collaboration between myself and my Ukrainian counterparts. Together we were able to build off each other’s strengths to create amazing lessons and partnerships. I hope that all towns in Ukraine could experience that same partnership.

What do miss the most?
- I miss all the people, I miss seeing my host families, my fellow colleagues, and my students. I cannot wait until I can go back and visit soon to give everyone a hug!