Yesterday marked the half way point of the overseas aspect of my Beyond Borders Experience. I specify the 'overseas' portion because my experience with this program began long ago and what I have learned through my involvement will last far into the future. I do plan on posting pictures and giving a quick summary but I will be leaving for summer camp with the Internat girls so I don't have time to do a quality update now.
Stay tuned!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
L'viv
Remember that saying about saving your money for a rainy day? Well, L'viv is known as The Rainy City. . . and our first stop was a Chocolate factory. Let’s just say I’m my mother’s daughter.
Okay, so I’m being a little bit dramatic. It’s not like I spent almost $50 on chocolate and had to count my pennies for lunch . . .or carry my bag with two hands so the bottom didn’t rip out . . . ;)
I honestly felt like I was at the grocery store! At least my gift shopping is finished J And believe you me, it’s going to make it home!
Besides the chocolate products themselves, the whole set-up of the factory was really neat! Downstairs, there was a café where you could sample the chocolate (straight, melted in a cup or as part of a coffee or treat), and a glass section where you could watch the workers form delicate artwork out of melted chocolate. It was clean, happy and so fairy-tale-like that I felt like I should be keeping an eye out for Oompa-Loompas! Upstairs was more of a zoo than a fairy-tale. The walls were lined with delicious, beautiful chocolate in all sort of fun shapes while the isles were stocked full of the world’s most wide-eyed chocolate lovers. By listening to the conversations and accents, you could tell that people come from all over the world for a taste of L’viv handmade chocolate.
Once we had safely exited the chocolate factory, we stopped by a graffiti contest in the town square. Here, people had large canvasses and ware paining graffiti on them. The are was spectacular, plus we got to make our won contribution to a mural for the public. It was neat to see the artist interact and to be a part of it myself. This is one of my favouite parts about travelling! To me, travelling is not so much about the experience that everyone talks about, it’s about having my own experience and contributing to that of others. I really like to feel what the city is all about and community events like this are what makes that possible. Plus, being a part of this graffiti contest and seeing things like an impromptu break dancing contest in 
Carpathians
I feel like I’m getting to be a seasoned traveler as I continue to write about these amazing weekend getaways. It seems like there is a new adventure planned for us every weekend. This week’s (June 11-13) excursion was one I’ve been looking forward to for a long time - a trip to the Carpathian Mountains ! It was a time of seeing monuments, shopping, perfecting my napping technique, experiencing the outdoors and bonding.
Like every weekend getaway this summer, we spent a lot of time stopped at many monuments. By and by, I am very impressed with Ukraine Ukraine
Each time we stopped, there were shops, toilets and beer. By then end of this trip, it became habit that I would find food, water and a toilet at every stop (while trying to avoid the shops), Brieanne would shop (Kalyn, speedy gonzolas, would do both), and Chris would sit and have a beer while waiting for us. (Just as a side-note: beer and ice cream are fair game at any hour of the day . . . or morning . . .)
As we learned while repacking Kalyn’s bag at the airport, these may not have been the best habits to have but, as Brie would say, “It is what it is.”
For this trip, I was absolutely exhausted. We didn’t do as much hiking as expected because it was so wet outside but I was very tired anyway . . . so tired that I didn’t mind the long car rides because it meant I could nap! I now have a very handy napping position: rather than trying to find something to élan on and having my head bump and squish against the window at every pothole, I look very ladylike by simply folding my hand in my lap, crossing my ankles, squishing a sweater between my ear and shoulder and closing my eyes. Presto – I’m gone in less than 60 seconds!
This weekend’s field trip was great because it was right up my alley. Rather than coordinating through the maze of busy subways and busses to see famous buildings and places, we were there to take in the peaceful awesomeness of nature on our own two feet. It was too wet for us (ie. For the old and injured) to hike up the mountain we planned but we did get to stay at a house in the mountains, take a short walk up one hill and a chairlift up another, plus visit a waterfall.
The small hill we climbed was just outside of the house we were staying at. I think it was once a ski hill as there was an old chair lift to the top and a valley on the other side. The view was amazing: lots of grass and tall wildflower blossoms gripping the rolling hills, yielding to a background of sky and mountains. It was dusk and about to rain while we were up there so the sky was almost violet and full of dark grey thunderclouds. This view made me feel small as it reminded me of the power, drama and awesomeness of nature
The day we went to the waterfall instead of the mountain actually cleared up but that just made the waterfall more beautiful. Our guide joked about butting Niagra to shame (to which they didn’t come close), but they were formed by large, smooth rock. Like mortar, dark soil surrounded the rock and acted as a fertile base for dark green moss and trees.
It was great to see some of the natural environment Ukraine
As powerful as the sights were, it was the company that made this trip what it was. This was a trip for bonding as we saw our professor and guide in a new environment and light, and furthered our bond to a more relaxed friendship with our tutors.
Out tour guide is quite the character and I believe he is a geography and history prof at the Pedigocial University
Our coordinator (Kalyn and Chris’ prof), Olena, is the overbearing mother of the crowd. She’s thin, cautious, and most times quiet – until she wants to get something across (at which times there’s no discussion and her bottom line goes). She’s also nice though, and from Kalyn’s experiences, a very fun, effective, dedicated teacher who values the experiences we are having.
Olena’s son, Bokton, is one of out tutors. He is 18yrs old and the typical smart-guy character. At first he seemed a bit awkward but I think it’s jus this stiff humor that makes him seem that way. Bokton’s favourite pastimes include studying, making fun of us girls, and talking to Chris about computer stuff. (I think Chris ended up being a role model for him . . . poor guy!) Teasing is even more funny when people speak different languages because wit is unexpected and everything is a little more awkward in translation!
The girls, our tutors, are so funny!
After our trip to Kyiv, we’ve started to bond more and see another side o them. They’re so girly and fun – we joke and are sarcastic and they tease right back! In fact, I was just interrupted from writing because they came over for a visit giggling like little school girls. You see, there’s talk of going to the disco, but Alessa says, matter of factly “Olena will kill us.” Sometimes life here seems very free-spirited because people generally just do what they want but when it comes to superiors, a schedule is set and stuck to. Others are powerless and there is no discussion.
(For me, one of those people who always wants a reason for things, this is a difficult pill to swallow and I think a reason for not feeling totally comfortable here. I like to optimize (time, resources, etc) and often have new ideas so I have trouble accepting hard fast rules without seeing the logic.)
The Ukranian lifestyle can also be very freeing:
Last night, Olia, the more quiet and traditional tutor, was awake until 3am. When asked what she was doing, she said she wasn’t dong anything – just sitting and watching TV, awake for no reason at all. I met an artist with a similar mentality: he is in law scool right now, but the lawyer stuff is really just to fund his art and travels. He wants to create, see the world and connect with people. This view on life is refreshing: At home, it seems musch more common to schedule and rest so we can be productive the next day and take part in all our commitments. Here, though, that’s irrelevant. In Ukraine , and what I’ve heard of Europe in general, you do what you want when you want and worry less about health or other repercussions. It’s like summertime in cottage country. This, I like!
That's all, folks.
Friday, June 10, 2011
My Birthday in Ukraine
For me, birthdays are a time for visiting with family and friends. Although I couldn’t be with family or close friends this year, I became determined to have a good birthday. This is what I did to make it happen:
- Of course I skyped
Jordan - I made a birthday dinner (since I’m never quite sure what m y host family will feed me).
- I bought myself flowers: yellow daffodils and tall white perennials to be exact
- I went for a run.
- I got cappuccino ice cream AND a chocolate bar (snickers)
I was also really surprised and excited to receive gifts (of Ukranian music and a scented candle) from my tutors and host family, respectively. When I got home from my run, I was also treated to a shot of homemade wine, made by my host family and Denise, their former Beyond Borders student. Thanks Denise!
Although it wasn’t a traditional birthday celebration, my day was quite good. Thank you to all who sent their love and birthday wishes also – you made my special day even better.
Actors and Outcasts
Today, I met another Gypsie on the bus.
Gypies are a group of people that belong to a culture within a culture. They’re known for their rebellion from society’s rules, their nomad lifestyle, and their relentless begging. To many people in Ukraine
Today, I put that to the test.
While commuting to school, I encountered a Gypsie on the bus I was riding. Once he had entered the bus he began to pray and chant, then looked very sorrowful as he walked up and down the aisle to collect money.
I was seated at the front of the bus and had an empty seat beside me so, as soon as the boy finished collecting small bills from disgruntled passengers; he plopped down beside me like any other young boy would. Wondering whether or not I should give him any money, I asked him – in Ukranian that he understood – how he was doing. Immediately, he responded that he was going well. It’s a lot easier not to give to someone who doesn’t seem in need so I didn’t feel as bad refusing him money after that.
Then, when the boy realized I may actually have something to give, he turned on his acting skills once again. The transformation was remarkable as his body twisted in pretend pain, his eyes got sad and misty, and his mouth fell open like his jaw was too tired to hold it shut. Eventually, after him persisting for money and me continuously refusing or pretending not to understand, we sat quietly.
The Gypsie boy is an outcast from Ukranian society by his skin colour and occupation whereas I am disconnected through my lack of Ukranian vocabulary. For the rest of the ride, we sat comfortably united in silence.
Mad dash in Kyiv
Do you remember that scene from ‘Home Alone,’ where the parents are running through the airport to the tune of ‘Rockin’ ‘Round the Christmas tree?’ Their eyes are wide, faces full of panic, brains strategizing and exit plan, and legs moving faster than ever before.
Now picture that scene to the tune of some quick Ukranian folk music, some hyper students, and a variety of languages coming from every which direction. This is my Sunday night adventure!
Personally, I enjoyed the sprint to the subway, the hustle down the escalators and the adrenaline rush of squeezing onto the subway car. (Okay, a few close calls of not fitting in and being left stranded alone in were a little bit frightening, and I may have shown my inner athlete, but we all made it!) Chris, a fellow student, wasn’t so keen as he hobbled his fastest on his bum knee. Together, as students, tutors, and friends, out group must have made quite the sight!
Let me explain how we found ourselves in this situation:
Our Sunday in Kyiv began calm enough . . . we had a relaxing start, visited a monastery and took a walk in the resting place of many saints. At the monastery, I enjoyed the peacefulness above ground, prayed a little bit, and watched the birds flitter about (while most of the other tourists listened to our Ukranian-speaking guide). When we were finished at the monastery, we were joined by our exceptional tour guide, Olia’s friend Youlia. Earlier that afternoon, we had made a list of places we wanted to visit and Youlia was determined to make it happen! So, off we went trucking around the city, Youlia in her best tour-guide, city-slicker pace and the rest of us straggling behind as we tried to really experience the atmosphere while keeping our photo stops brief.
We didn’t have Youlia wit us the whole weekend but definitely did the most sight seeing when we were with her (see Brieanne's blog of eventually for a more complete description of our daily itenerary). From cathedrals to castles, government buildings and city squares to beaches, parks, muay thai, break dancing and traditional restaurants, it felt like we got a taste of everything. We were filled with new experiences and memories to last, but above all, I will never forget that golden gate. In fact, it was so instrumental to the outcome of our day that I decided to write a poem about it and, of course, share that with you.
The golden gate
It’s the reason we’re late
To visit or not was quite the debate
And Youlia’s decision decided our fate.
‘It’s a must-see,
A gotta be
there.’
‘It was the entrance to our city
and a very quick stop
that to miss would be a pity’
WE had an hour
To transport ourselves to the gate,
Out hostel and our train
No way we would make it . . .
Was Youlia insane?
Maybe,
But we followed her lead.
After all,
If anyone, it’s she we should head.
The Golden Gate was once the official entrance to Kyiv so how could we consider ourselves there if we missed the entrance? We knew we were cutting it close but, with optimistic heart and our faith in Youlia, we pushed on!
Perhaps we should have had more realistic hearts and placed our faith in our watches instead.
I am very glad to have visited such a monumental piece of Ukraine
We found ourselves back at our hostel half an hour and at least two subway transfers before our train’s departure. Once everyone had their stuff, we took off – legs pumping, mind strategizing and eyes wide. . .
* * *
Despite our attempts, and the valiant efforts of our guides (Youlia plus her boyfriend), we missed our train by approximately two minutes. After a panicked exchange of Ukranian words between our tutors and tour guides, (including ideas to taxi to the next train stop, scramble to buy a ticket fro the next train, and have a sleepover at Youlia’s), we found tickets for a train scheduled to depart in an hour.
I thrive on moments like these: most people are stressed, some are complaining while others crying, some are frozen while others take action or a chickens with their heads cut off. I know I can take on all these roles but I personally feel that I I usually do what needs to be done, usually with exaggerated calmness. In this case, my role was to do what I was told, make sure that seemed reasonable, and lighten the mood a bit.
For example, one of my favourite moments was when Kalyn and I managed to make eye contact while running through the crowded subway. I giggled and we were both smiling, enjoying the run and the excitement. After all, what could we have done but laugh at ourselves?
We did catch that later train, had a nice warm mashed potatoe snack, and got back to our billet homes safely – just in time for a great day at Internat! Whew!
Friday, June 3, 2011
Welcome to Internat
We made it! Brieanne and I met Horace near the university today and then took the 20-30min hike to Internat.
With regards to my previous email, 'bad' isn't too bad so far. As we entered the prphange, we passed a couple gardens and a park with a jungle gym (freshly pained). The first thing we did was meet with the director to get the okay for being there. He wasn't exactly excited that we were there but didn't put up too much of a fuss. When speaking to Horace later, I got the impression that the director doesn't like outsiders going there very much because of a nearby organization that got shut down after some questionable practises were exposed by foreigners. My perception is that he, like everyone else around here, is pretty desperate to have a job or to keep the one he has. According to Horace, he is making sure he gets a very good salary without paying his workers anything special but, however unfair and unsustainable that is, that practise is not unheardof.
From the looks of the place, the children are treated fairly well. The director is passive so, from what I saw the first day, he doesn't do much harm. The teacher I met seems to care about the children. I'm not sure if she's aiding development or just helping time pass but either way it's better than I had pictured. The facilities - or at least what I saw of them - are also better looking than I had pictured: they seem clean and friendly. There is also a bit of a gym inside where Horace says the children, especially the older ones, have class. After seeing the nice office area, I wondered if the gym equipment was available for the children or the director/secretaries and so I was relieved to learn that the gym is in fact used by the children. There are also classrooms to play in and some technological equipment like a TV and DVD player (presumeable donated). From my limited outside perspective, Internat doesn't seem too bad.
Now the best part . . the girls!
I was probably on Internat property for all of five minutes before being swarmed, hugged and held. The girls are 100% exceptional.
(Dis) Abilities range from communication to physical and mental. Some could speak, come could/did not, and one, Ilena, was pretty good at communicating in English. There was another who stuck to me (by not letting go of my hand most of the time), but who did not tell me he name or make much eye contact - she was quite content to just hunch over and hugg my arm. I think we'll be friends :)
Today we really just hung out and got to know eachother. I met about 15 girls/young women and can remember some names: Ilena, Natalia x2, Lulia, Kristina, and Nadia. Nadia has a cleft pallet and said her name with a strong lisp. I didn't think of the lisp when she said her name so simply repeated exatly what I heard, making everyone laugh.
Popular hobbies at Internat include sports, dancing, singing and picture-taking. Ilena (18yrs) is so hip she had Lady Gaga on her celphone! As great as it is that people who live here are active, curious and energetic, I can't help but think what further opportunities would be available to them in Canada. That can be said about many situations around the world but when it comes to my placement this summer "it is what it is." I wouldn't usually say that because what it is could, with some TLC, turn into what it can be, but it will probably take more than three months to figure out a better situation. Thus, it is what it is - I'll just do my best to teach what I can, learn what I can and have loads and loads of fun doing it. Already I can pick out some of the quiet, funny and hyperactive ones. I loved it - what a mix of personalities, everyone being themselves and sharing their own little bundle of energy. I was at home in the craziness.
Internat has a pretty laid-back schedule of who comes and goes: I was told that I can just show up play. Apparently other people do that too and the director doesn't go out of his way to stop it. (He's the businessman, not the cargiver.) I'm looking forward to Monday!
Internat has a pretty laid-back schedule of who comes and goes: I was told that I can just show up play. Apparently other people do that too and the director doesn't go out of his way to stop it. (He's the businessman, not the cargiver.) I'm looking forward to Monday!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Hey ya'll ya'll from across the creek . . .
I wrote this on May 10, but haven't been able to catch up on my blogging until now. This tidbit is worth sharing, though, especially for all those SJ'ers out there.
For those of you who don't know, my university residence (SJU) has a tradition of, each year, making a promise to dance a silly dance to a specific rock song. In my first year, the song was Yah, by Usher. The next year, was Hey Yah, and when I was a don, the song was "It's my Life" by Bon Jovi. The promise lasts for life and so I've needed to do my best to dance in some pretty odd places when one of those comes on the radio. Until today, the craziest place I've had to dance was infront of clients at a physio clinic clinic during my first co-op term. I was suprised then but little did I know that two years later I would be dancing to Bon Jovi's "It's My Life" in the toilet room (not even bathroom) of my Ukranian host family! There's nothing like a little blast from the past to make me feel a little more at home here!
Just another crazy day in Ternopil
Brieanne and I didn’t actually end up going to Internat today. Let me explain:
The day started out as expected – we had the morning off and then met our local program coordinator (Olena) at the university. Here, Olena introduced us to the orphanage representative, Horace, who would be taking us on the bus to show us how to get to Internat. The bus we were going to take doesn’t run very often so we had a lot of time to get to know each other. This is what I learned about Horace:
Horace is a lot younger that I expected (~24 whereas I was expecting an older gentleman) but speaks English very well. He works for little pay at the orphanage and earns most of his money DJing at local bars. He’s been to BC before and would like to come to live in Canada
During our conversation, Horace told us about a couple fun things to do in Ternopil and said he would probably show us around a bit. He’s an active, creative person so I am looking forward to getting his perspective of the city. I’m looking forward swimming in the river he mentioned and visiting the club he works at.
We waited for an hour with no sign of our bus, # 33. After waiting for that long, Horace called a taxi but it either didn’t come or didn’t stay long enough for us to get in it. Since Horace needed to get back home for appointment to get his new car road-ready, we made our way back to the school to participate in cultural activities. This experience supports my previous blog about going with the flow – you never know what a new day will bring! Hopefully we will get to Internat tomorrow.
At the University, we were greeted by two additional students who took us and our tutors to a nearby park to sing and play guitar. It was great! I really love the sound of guitar, especially live, and it inspired me to get practicing again. After a few songs, the rain started pouring down. That was fine with me – I really like rain and storms. We took shelter under a tree for a while and then high-tailed it to the university. “Ei dammo!” (“Let’s go!”)
After finishing up our music class at the university, we ran some errands downtown and made our way home. My host family had company so I hung out with them for a while. It was nice to see them visiting like my family would at home. There are a lot of differences here but some things are universal.
On the eve of Internat
After a year of (official) Beyond Borders involvement and preparation, four months of preparing for Ukraine, a month away from home and three weeks of language training, I am finally about to begin my term at Internat. I have been hoping for an opportunity like this since Iheard about the program in first year and the anticipation has only grown only stronger, especially in the least few weeks as I read about my classmate’s experiences. Although I was the first to leave Canada
I have been warned that Internat (orphanage) will be very difficult emotionally and am not sure what to expect. I know the women and girls are of all ages and many levels of ability but I have yet to fathom what this means to day-to-day life. (Will I be planning activities or helping with bathroom breaks?) You see, some people will be living there because they don’t have parents but most are there because it is dictated by society and/or their parents cannot or will not take care of them due to their ‘disability’. I have been told that I will wonder why some of them are there because they’ll be highly functioning while I am sure others will have difficulty with activities of daily living.
When it comes to previous experience, I have worked with people from NACL (Norfolk Association for Community Living), and many children of various ages, abilities and home lives. However, I am being careful not to relate that too much to this placement since, through the words of encouragement and preparation I have received, I expect this placement to be like something I have not yet encountered or even imagined. (Although if it doesn’t ‘blow my mind’ like people have been telling me it will, I will not be disappointed because I know that would be better for the women/children living there.)
I’m wondering how bad ‘bad’ is. I have been told that Internat is very hard and that it’s the ‘best of the worst’ orphanages (institutions) in the area but what does that mean? How similar are Ukranian standards to Waterloo University of Waterloo professor’s standards to ma-and-pop, nonprofit, let-make-ends-meet standards like the organizations I’ve been exposed to in Norfolk County
. . . I’ll let you know.
The Chernoble Question
I am in Ukraine
On April 26 1986, safety measures were ignored as the uranium fuel overheated and melted through its protective barriers. The Reactor 4 exploded, caught fire and released radioactive elements including plutonium, iodine, strontium and caesium. The graphite blocks in the core of the reactor also caught fire and contributed to the release of radioactive material into the atmosphere. According to the travel website I visited (link located on the left), “Some 150,000 square kilometres in Belarus , Russia and Ukraine 500 kilometres . An area spanning 30 kilometres around the plant is considered the “exclusion zone” and is essentially uninhabited.”
Approximately 200 000 people were evacuated from the homes in the surrounding area, including the entire town or Pripyat. The initial explosion resulted in the death of two workers whereas an addition 28 firemen/cleanup crew dies in the following 3 months, most from Acute Radiation Sickness. As for addition health effects, there have been 1800 cases of thyroid cancer from children of the area who were younger than 14yrs at the time of the explosion. This is significantly higher than usual trends. So far, health studies have not shown direct correlation with higher cancer rates in those people involved with cleanup. Other health effects include suicide, alcoholism and apathy.
The site I have posted goes on to describe the extent of the damage, how the accident was cleaned up and how it related to other nuclear catastrophes.
I wanted to visit Chernoble because it was a place that I have head of and feared. I know what happened there was devastating and never wanted it to happen again. To that end, I aimed to understand the event and its effects from a prevention + treatment health and safety standpoint as well as its contribution to the environment. However, this exposure I get as a result of this tour would not be limited to the educational type, as parts of the environment are still radioactive and therefore could have the potential to increase risk of cancer.
Sometimes, being both curious and an experimental learner are not a good mix! (I'm sure I have my vivid imagination to thank for keeping me out of a lot of trouble . . .)
After visiting tourist websites to research the exposure risk, I learned that radiation from the Chernoble tour would expose me to 'minimal risk of dangerously increased radiation' and that participating in the tour 'has not been linked to significantly increased risk of certain cancers.' Also, it was children who were under the age of 14 at the time of the accident whose risk of cancer have been mentioned and have increased. Here, thyroid cancer is the most common culprit but leukemia rates are also concerning.
If I went to Chernoble and did not visit the exclusion zone (the place with the most radiation), I was told that the radiation I would encounter is similar to an intercontinental flight. Nonetheless, precautions for visiting include covering as much skin as possible and not touching anything. This raised some alarms in my head: What if it's a windy day? How are clothes supposed to protect me from radiation or how am I supposed to get them off without touching the radioactive dirt they might get on them? Should I trust the sources that say there is minimal risk, or should I place my faith in Murphy's Law, which dictates that anything bad that could happen, will?
After a lot of thought about why I wanted to go and even the psychological aspects that could result, I decided against the excursion. This is my reasoning:
1. I have a strong family history of cancer
2. I am 21 years old and carrying half of the makings for some wonderful children - I don't want to do anything that could put them at risk
3. Family and friends also suffer when someone gets cancer - it's not only a personal matter
4. I know that cancer patients go through a lot and so I personally think it would be disrespectful to potentially sign up for the situation they are/were so desperate to fight out of.
5. There are other ways to learn about the disaster and its effects.
6. I lecture my parents enough about the cancer risks of smoking and would feel like a hypocrite if I also willingly exposed myself to unnecessary risk.
7. There's no sense going there to say I've been there. I think a lot of tourists, including myself sometimes, can get caught going somewhere and experiencing something because it's a "must-do," they have the opportunity, or they want to tell their friends about it. Well, those folly reasons are nothing compared to the worst case scenario (however unlikely it may be).
8. Why revel in misery? I wonder if people who experienced the Reactor 4 explosion would ever personally go back or encourage others to? Besides those who returned to for lifestyle and sentimental reasons, I don't imagine they would.
So, if the risk is actually minimal, I am missing out on a life-changing learning opportunity. If not, this could be a decision that saves my life rather than shaping it. I don't think I'm succombing to fear, I think I'm making the best decision for me.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Я не говорю по-українсвкі
Okay, so I’m a bit flustered - I just used my new language skills to order noncarbonated water and was told flat by the waitress that she couldn’t understand because she doesn’t speak English. I was confused because I was sure I had said it in Ukranian, and because I have practiced the trm many times in class. Again, I said what sounds like “vadda bez hazzo, bude-laska” (water without gas please), only to be met with blank stares and nervous giggles. Considering today was my graduation from the course “Survival Ukranian,” I am a bit flustered. After all, water is key to survival.
This brings me to the topic of this blog: life with the infamous ‘Language Barrier.’ Welcome.
It’s a life of crossing your fingers when choosing from a menue and of hoping a smile can get you through. It’s a time of failed attempts and small victories; of listening and observing; and of balancing dependence with risk taking. Mostly, though, it’s a lesson in going with the flow.
The reason I have sat down to write this blog is a perfect example. After another exciting and unpredictable afternoon at school – our activities range from beading to singing, dancing, hanging out in zorbs or taking a stroll downtown – I made my way home. When I got there, the door was locked and no one answered. I’m pretty sure (as sure as I can considering the circumstances) that the family I am living with only has one key since I was refused when I asked for one. The door is usually locked from the inside but the mom of the house is usually home so there’s no issue. Today was another storey . . .
I had spend the afternoon in the park with my tutors and classmates, but came home early to try to go for a run before dark. However, I arrived at a locked door with no signs of civilization. Surprises like this don’t bother me too much because I don’t really have any deadlines to meet and because they’re pretty typical. I’m not sure if it’s the culture of waiting and doing whatever, whenever or if it’s the lack of communication but there’s some kind of blockage for messages like “We won’t be home tonight.” Anyway, thirsty and annoyed but not flustered or upset, I made my way to a nearby café to wait. This is where my failed attempt at ordering took place.
Because I wasn’t understood when I ordered what I have always asked for, and because I needed to totally rely on charades and a random English speaker even after my catch-all course, I wonder what the actual hope of survival is for me this summer. I’m sure I’ll be able to get by when I have time to think, show and observe my surroundings, but what if I need to say something quickly? With my vocabulary limited to small-talk, will I ever actually get to know my billets or neighbours?
I know that learning a language takes time and that I have made progress but I am wondering if I am progressing as well as I should/could be. Everyone learns differently so I realize that I should be okay with going at my own pace but it feels pretty darn slow! In class, I felt like the way I was taught was not at all the way I learn so I ended up going home and re-doing the lesson to try to understand it better. Out of class I sometimes feel mute and deaf while other times I feel a toddler trying to get to know the world. On the bright side, what began nothing more than an array of sounds coming out of people’s mouths is turning into a pattern of recognizable words. I am really happy to be picking up the words I do because it’s proof that, whatever the rate, I am progressing. Thank goodness!
I also worry about my language development because I know I have a lot of patience for being misunderstood. I tend to think differently than most people, which works as an advantage as long as I can explain myself. Explaining a thought takes a lot more work here so, in order to avoid exhaustion and arguments every time I have a different perspective, I am okay with accommodating and being misunderstood. In Ukraine
I feel like I am destined to be a listener because I want to understand even more than I yearn to speak.
Whatever the case, I think the key to survival here – besides water and other physical necessities – is to live in the moment. As an English-speaking student in Ukraine
One thing is for sure: I have a new appreciation of language’s role in communication since not understanding a language has made me more interested in my own. This experience has also made me think of the importance of communication in learning styles and helped me to better understand the difficulties people have when they are isolated with a disability. I hope I can keep these lessons to share with others when they are encountering similarly difficult times.
Week 3: Becoming my own
During preparation for this trip, I was repeatedly reminded that my experiences will be very different from anyone else’s and that that was okay. I was encouraged to just “be,” to keep and open mind, and to enjoy the culture. I have been trying to do that but have experienced difficulty as I try to balance experiencing the culture with fitting in and still keeping what is important to me personally.
Firstly – and I am definitely going to sound like the typical youngest child when I say this – I feel like I’m following Denise’s footsteps but not filling them. Denise is the Beyond Borders student who did this placement and lived with this host family last year. From what I can gather, she learned to speak Ukranian before she came and developed a charity to help out Internat. She is still fluent in Ukranian and has been a translator on skype for my host family and I on a couple occasions. Denise, this is excellent and I admire all the effort you put forth. I on the other hand have zero experience with Ukranian language or culture when I arrived and wished it wasn’t as easy for my family to call up assistance. I feel like my host family is disappointed after having an ace like Denise. It’s not only that I couldn’t speak the language when I came . . . I still feel slower to pick it up. I am the youngest of three at home (or only, depending on how you look at it), but have never felt like I was being evaluated against or compared to my brothers. My host family often brings up Denise in conversation and I feel like they’re comparing me to her. It’s not their fault: maybe they’re trying to make conversation and they probably don’t realize it, but I feel like a dud. I feel inadequate. Even when I think about Denise’s Beyond Border legacy at home, I feel like I’m not living up to the standard she set. I had a more low-key fundraising technique but I too have grand ideas, and I’m sorry I feel the need to prove myself. I realize that my life is not Denise’s and that my interests/priorities are different, but I still feel like I should have scraped more time together in my day to practice Ukranian. When I think about what I would have had to do for that to happen (skipped tri practice, spent less time with family/friends/Jordan, reflected less and practiced more), I still feel like I made the right decision but also feel selfish for that since it is making it more difficult to develop relations here. Usually I feel good about keeping a balance, so why do I feel like I should have tipped the scales more to the east?
I also feel like I’m disappointing my host family because I’m not normal. They like to watch TV whereas that’s the last thing I want to. I like to play sports and eat fruits and vegetables but it’s weird for women to play sports and who needs vitamins or fibre? I also get up before I need to, which is unheard-of. For the first week, I tried to be like them (and, even though people are people and we love eachother, there is sometimes an 'us' and 'them'): I ate borscht for breakfast and dinner, joined them to watch TV in the evenings, and only used the internet when I was desperate for some contact from home. However, I soon learned that that is not necessarily the norm. People are people and people vary no matter where you are. Some traditions are saved and some are not, depending on the family. Like Nicole I wanted to experience my surroundings the way the locals do so, as grateful as I am, I wasn’t excited about all the special treatment and sightseeing opportunities. I now realize, though, that even if I place myself in the same situation I will not have the same experience because of my different past. When it comes to living like the locals, a more appropriate attitude might be to use every resource I have available to me to its full extent because it might be gone tomorrow. That seems to be the mindset here.
I also feel like I’m disappointing my host family because I’m not normal. They like to watch TV whereas that’s the last thing I want to. I like to play sports and eat fruits and vegetables but it’s weird for women to play sports and who needs vitamins or fibre? I also get up before I need to, which is unheard-of. For the first week, I tried to be like them (and, even though people are people and we love eachother, there is sometimes an 'us' and 'them'): I ate borscht for breakfast and dinner, joined them to watch TV in the evenings, and only used the internet when I was desperate for some contact from home. However, I soon learned that that is not necessarily the norm. People are people and people vary no matter where you are. Some traditions are saved and some are not, depending on the family. Like Nicole I wanted to experience my surroundings the way the locals do so, as grateful as I am, I wasn’t excited about all the special treatment and sightseeing opportunities. I now realize, though, that even if I place myself in the same situation I will not have the same experience because of my different past. When it comes to living like the locals, a more appropriate attitude might be to use every resource I have available to me to its full extent because it might be gone tomorrow. That seems to be the mindset here.
I have tried to fit in and I have gone into survival mode (exercising and buying my own food) to try to be more comfortable. Even though I’ve come to the conclusion that I will not fit in, should I keep trying or live and let live? I know balance is key, but where is it? Will I offend anyone by doing what makes me happy? These are a few of the questions I have posed to myself.
I am beginning to do more of what I want (eg. Not eating diary, doing sports) and worry less about offending people, but it feel kind of contrary to the cultural sensitivity aspect of Beyond Borders lessons. I am still looking for the balance between cultural sensitivity and survival. I imagine I’ll have to stop trying to guess what people are thinking and just take one day at a time. I’ll keep an open mind to food and activities but also remember what I know is best for me.
Lastly, I’d like to make a note about self discovery and growth. I am wondering why people feel the need to travel for long periods of time, whether it’s for tourism, volunteerism, or volunteer. For me, it was curiosity and a goal that I’ve had since I was little, plus the fact that I am an experiential learner. Many programs are advertised as learning opportunities and opportunities for self discovery. Personally, I recognize that I have learned a lot about the world and myself through the Beyond Borders program but can’t help but think that those kinds of lessons could also be learned different ways. My current opinion is that life has a way of revealing to you what is important no matter what situation you put yourself in – or is it that life puts you in the necessary situation? I also wonder if we are discovering ourselves or changing ourselves. If I’ve learned anything in the last couple years, I’ve learned that people and life are full of change. I think the quest for understanding oneself deeper could be more of a quest for forming yourself further (retrospective vs. prospective). I also wonder if that is different depending on experiences or if people have a way of forming their character through perspective and not particular situations. (Eg. What I get from this placement could be the same a friend helping someone through a trying time or another person watching the news and reading tons of books. Could the news and books or guidance have had the same effect on me?) I am also taking part in the placement because I would like to become more globally aware – does that stem form a personality trait I have yet to “discover” or is it me trying to be the best version of myself? What’s the point of learning about yourself if you are not going to somehow use that information to make a change (even if that change is simply acceptance)?
I would love to hear your views about these questions - please don't hesitate to comment!
I would love to hear your views about these questions - please don't hesitate to comment!
Just so you know, my further blogs will be more like thoughts and less like a weekly recap. I intend on making a slideshow and telling the funny little stories to recap whereas I’d like to use this blog to develop some thoughts and connect on more specific experiences.
Week 2: I'm doin' okay
Week 2: I’m doin’ okay
Firstly, the school cultural activities have gotten more up my alley. We were supposed to sing and dance this week and, even though we didn’t get to the dancing park, the singing we still a huge improvement from stringing together rows of beads. I wouldn’t say that I’m a fan of structure and so the precise, repetitive tasks don’t bode well with me. Neither does being dictated to, but in a culture of people coming fresh out of a communism mindset, that is something I need to get used to. The influence of the political processes of a country on daily life is remarkable.
You see, I like not having structure when it means society is more versatile and willing to listen to new ideas. However, I do not like it when it means I need to do whatever other people have planned whenever they want me to do it. This comes into play at school. I do appreciate all the different activities we get to do, but wish we had a little more say. The first instance of this came up when we were told we would learn to dance. This was great news for me because it was something I was really excited to do. We planned on dancing on one day so I got excited and dressed appropriately. Instead, we sat and watch a concert all afternoon. That was good too, but a bit of a disappointment after I was all revved up for doing something active. I was disappointed because I wasn’t sure dancing would ever happen. IT did though, at the drop of a hat on another day. I was wearing a sundress that day but luckily brought shorts, anticipating the unexpected. Chris, who happened to be very good at dancing, wore jeans and was not so lucky. I could feel his disappointment as I remembered the frustration I felt when I couldn’t skate properly. Every day is an adventure and every day has its ups and downs. Although it’s difficult to build trust or depend on anything, I do appreciate the times when things work out.
This week, I got a little closer with my classmates. After a couple good conversations, I feel like a at least know a bit about their backgrounds and start to connect a little deeper. I have a strong believe in God and so I know I am never really alone, but I do really value the company from other people, whether it’s getting to know a friend better or a friendly smile in the park. I am still having my ups and downs but the ability to keep consistent connections with people at home helps a great deal. At least I can depend on that. Thanks for being there for me.
These are a few of my adventures and discoveries:
*I am not a museum person. I like to learn, but looking and walking doesn’t quite cut it, especially when the weather outside is beautiful.
*Found some trail mix!
*Had a test and did well, despite my lack of motivation.
*Milk and I don’t mix well. I occasionally get some pasteurized (I believe) yogurt at the grocery store but need to be very careful with any other dairy product and any other place to buy it. Even ice cream is nearing the no-buy list.
*Brie was having some troubles and I was really glad to be able to talk to her about them
*Kalyn, Brie and I had a chat about missing out boyfriends and went on a quest to find some cook T-shirts Kalyn saw (see the Facebook pics). Poor Chris has to put up with us . . .
*I saw kayakers and tried to go to a place to rent Kayaks (two days I tried). To m y disappointment, we couldn’t find anyone to help us but that won’t stop me. It looks like a commercial club so I plan on coming out in front of their place one afternoon to wait for someone to show up. I have been told that the lake is too dirty to swim in (although have seen swimmers in there already) but it would be nice to at least able to kayak. Any possibility of having someone be able to translate and help me is gone (another frustration of the language barrier and challenge to living here), but I’ll make do o ne of these days.
*I tried a Zorb. In this case, a Zorb is a large inflatable beach-ball-type-thing that can hold a person and that floats on water. It was fun but could be devastating if it leaks so I don’t think I’ll try it again.
*Visited some castles and the Dniester river (detailed description to follow)
Just so you know, I've run itno some camera issues but plan on eventually posting pictures to go with these blogs.
My New Outlook
Sunday was a nice day: I went to church, did some homework, and met with Brie to develop a work-out regime.
Church was a great experience. Here, the major religions are Orthodox or Ukranian Catholic. I went to the Ukranian Catholic mass thinking it would be the closest to Roman Catholic and because I wanted to see that religious life is like in the Ukraine
When I got to my homework, I decided to make flashcards. Hopefully this will also be a valuable resource for the future Beyond Borders students and the people at Internat. I have trouble justifying putting all that work into something for myself but enjoy making them if they ca be used as teaching tools for others.
With regards to the work-out, it’s great to get back to routine activity and healthy food.
Week one: Done
Dyslexia, projectile vomit and heartache are what I will remember most clearly from my first week.
Maybe my countdown until homesickness began when I left for Romania
As many of you know, I need to take some language classes before I begin my placement at the orphanage. These language classes take place at Pergigogical University , which is locate in Ternopil , Ukraine
Even on my first day, I didn’t feel as excited to be in Ukraine
For those of you who don’t know, the Ukranian alphabet is made up of some symbols that look and sound like ours, some that look but don’t sound similar, some that are backwards compared to ours and some without any resemblance. I distinctly remember feeling motion sickness from trying to straighten out and understand the letters with their corresponding sounds. Even in English, I am a slow reader and already I mix up letter like p/d/b and numbers like 4/7, 6/9, or 2/5. You an imagine my frustrations when trying to learn Ukranian!
Our classes are followed by lunch and then a cultural activity. Since we’re in Ukraine
I’d like to call this activity and initiation, but let’s call it a character builder. Unbeknowist to me, I – the one with the smallest attention span of the group I’m pretty sure – managed to choose the smallest beads and largest egg. Whatever we didn’t finish in class was homework so I, two weeks later, continued to work on my egg. I am now finally finished just before the course is done. After visiting many markets, festivals and exhibits, I have come to realize that detail isn’t only a part of the Easter egg. Rather, the small, repetitive style artwork is common in many crafts throughout Ukraine
Maybe it was the dancing alphabet, maybe the hundreds of tiny, multicolored beads or the stuffed, sweaty bus. Whatever the reason, I was not feeling well when I retourned to my host family at the end of Day 1. They tried to tell me to eat dinner but I couldn’t handle any green borscht. I managed to get a banana down but it came back up with the rest of my stomache contents soon after. It was less than half an hour after I got home that I was projectile vomiting all over the floor and my host family called Denise to translate for them. That was a messy night that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. The food was out of my stomache but I continued to vomit and have horrible, horrible stomache pains. I just wanted it to stop – I just wanted to go home – and I couldn’t hold back the tears or groans.
After a long night, I got up and made it to school, homework unfinished. I realize that it’s just as likely I got sick from lack of food culture shock or travelling as food poisoning but I still never look at this food with quite as open a mind.
For me, physical illness tends to go hand in hand with emotional distress. I took part in some really cool activities this week – a lot of sightseeing and a celebration with Ukranian music – but couldn’t shake the sick feeling. My first experience of normalness came at a Christain Rock concert in the park, when I played catch with a little boy while waiting for the music to start. Children are everywhere and I am at home with them because they don’t try to small-talk or put on any shields – they are their real selves and just like to play. I am also looking forward to Internat for that reason. I know there will not be your average children but am sure they will show their own special selves. Besides those precious moments at the concert, it took me until Friday to start to feel okay.
What’s so special about Friday? On Friday, I found a grocery store and went skating. The diet here consists of mostly just a lot of carbs and I was under the impression that it wasn’t acceptable to women to exercise much. Wanting to have as representative an experience as possible, I tried my best to stick to my family’s died to borscht and bread and was in the process of figuring out how to exercise discretely. Solutions came on Friday when I went to the mall to go skating!
Can you believe it? Skating in Ukraine
When it comes to that experience, I really felt the power of sport. Sport brings very different people together for a united goal or interest, with the only language necessary being that of the game. It also makes foreigners like myself feel at home and at ease, and there are few places in the world where I am as at ease as I am on the ice.
Skating was a nice break but I still felt awful – my whole body was weak from loss of fluids, travelling and emotional exhaustion. This led me to go for a run on Saturday because if I didn’t, I knew mu motivation would dwindle.
I threw in my earphones and I ran. I really only knew the park nearby and wasn’t in the mood for getting lost so I did laps around it listening to Mumford and Sons. It wasn’t long before tears were rolling down my face but I let it happen because crying would only add to the cardio. Before I knew it, I was bawling while running to songs like “White Blank Page,” and “Little Lion Man.” I let it all out and stopped caring about what people thought – I already stood out for being a woman exercising so I might as well do what I want. (Go big or go home . . . and I wasn’t going home.)
Anyway, I cried hard and I ran. And then I ran, far. I felt kind of like a hamster running in a cage, trapped somewhere I didn’t want to be. I wasn’t running away or anywhere really, I was just running. Then came “Heart of a Champion” on my playlist. This was one of Kristen’s pregame songs and reminded me that, in order for me to actually grown, I needed to push myself. Personally, I feel the need to experience sacrifice and pain to know that I can appreciate the good that can come of it. Everywhere, people are making sacrifices and experiencing challenges beyond their belief. I think of how my brother Ryan moved away to play hockey when he was 16, how my friend Chantal has spend a good potion of her life battling cancer, and how my grandma had to say goodbye to her true love. These are very strong people and I would like to believe that I am cut from the same cloth. So, with the heart of a champion, I found my strength, sprinted to the end of the song, and walked home with a new outlook.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)