When I studied abroad in the Ukraine in the spring semester of 2006, I found myself wanting.
I had to take an intensive Ukrainian/Russian Course at the same time I was taking the courses required of my exchange program at the Kiev Mohyla Academy of Law and Sciences.
I was one of 12 Alleghenians that were selected to study abroad in the Ukraine. And reading and writing papers on the Soviet Union and its policies was one thing--discussing it in a history course--giving presentations on the Soviet arms trade, Soviet political alliances etc--but actually living and breathing and eating in a former Soviet Socialist Republic---is totally different story.
When I first arrived to Ukraine, I couldn't help myself from visiting every single Orthodox Church, every castle, reading the histories of each building, edifice, and plaza in downtown Kiev.
Why, I even signed up in a Ukranian Skii trip to the Carpathian Mountains--which was on the border between The Ukraine and Romania, Poland and Moldova.
With my own eyes, we stayed in the small villages of Lvov, at authentic Ukrainian pastries. Honored with Village dancers and festivities.
At first, the language barrier was rather obvious, but within 1-2 weeks time living in Ukraine and taking a course--my fluency in Cyrillic was obvious--and could converse in basic Ukrainian/Russian with common folk. Obviously, what gave me away was my thick American acceent--and Asiatic-Mongolic phenotype. lol.
When I took a trip with some fellow students to the Crimea--we stayed at a Tartar-owned hotel and were served with authentic Turkish/Tatar food. With yalk milk.
A ukranian historian, who gave us a tour, asked me, "Sir, are you a Mongol?"
I answered him, "No, but am A Filipino"
That started our long conversation on the Mongol invasion of Ukraine in the 13th centuries--and the rich history of the Mongol Empire. And to admit, struck my interest. Heavily.
In my life, I only read about Mongol History--or Kievan Russian History--but to actually live and breath it. To touch old forts, keeps, and castles and see the cannon holes that were made by the invading Turkish and Mongol Armies of some 5-6 centuries past, was totally different.
By the time my semester in Ukraine came to an end in August 2006, I found myself wanting. Yet again. Ukraine became almost my adoptive country. The people were courteous, gentle, and accepting. It is definitely one good characteristic of Eastern European Culture.
I look back at my year spent in Ukraine with nostalgia and warmth. Definitley, I would like to visit Ukrainya and Russi'ya in the future.
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Ukrainian Colleagues/classmates
A train station in Kiev. I took this route almost everyday to go to class.
Streets of Kiev
Soviet Monument
The Medical College of Lvov
Yes, read those on a daily basis. And can still read cyrillic. hahaha.
Intimidating at first, but its rather easy to read.
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