Former students tell their story
There are many reasons to study Ukrainian. Some students do it for personal reasons, to learn about their heritage and to communicate with family members. Others do it to make travel in Ukraine easier and more enjoyable. However, there are also many career-related arguments to study this language. The following accounts provide a small sampling of the endeavors in which students of Ukrainian have been engaged.
OLENA TOVSTIUK
Olena at the Warsaw Stock Exchange seminar in Kyiv
Olena in Khotyn
"I had the opportunity to travel to Ukraine for both study and work purposes. In 2005, I participated in a 5-week summer course: "Ukrainian Through Its Living Culture," which took place in Lviv. Living and studying in Ukraine's Western capital was an invaluable experience as it exposed me to contemporary culture and allowed me to put into practice the Ukrainian language skills I had acquired throughout my studies in Alberta. One of the best parts of studying in Lviv was interacting and learning from the locals. I also enjoyed visiting the numerous historic sites, cafes and outdoor markets. Being immersed in a Ukrainian environment helped me to better internalize the language and rich culture of Ukraine. This was definitely a memorable experience that I would encourage others to consider!
After graduating with a Bachelors of Commerce, I had the opportunity of participating in a 4-month internship in Kyiv, at the International Institute of Business (IIB). The language skills I gained in the Ukrainian language program at the U of A helped me to communicate with co-workers, and allowed me to make a valuable contribution to the IIB during the internship. I gained practical work experience and skills, which I am now able to apply in my current role within the Investment Attraction division of the Alberta Government. Working in an international setting allowed me to demonstrate my adaptability and understanding of different cultures and ways of doing things."
MARIA KACHMAR
Currently, Maria is a Grade 3 teacher at the Pechersk International School in Kyiv.
Maria with her pupils in Kyiv
Maria, presenting the news at "5-yj Kanal", a Ukrainian News Channel
"Looking back on my university years, I have very fond memories of the time I spent in the warm, supportive atmosphere of the Ukrainian Culture, Language and Literature Program. Not only did I find lectures and seminars thought-provoking and lively, often examining contemporary issues and language trends, I also valued the close, friendly relationships with professors and peers. There were plenty of opportunities to improve my Ukrainian at social events and study abroad courses, something that I found both helpful and enjoyable. All in all, choosing Ukrainian as my major resulted in numerous unimaginable opportunities and countless exciting experiences that have shaped my adult life.
In my second year of study at the U of A, I embarked on a self-organized fall semester study abroad adventure to Lviv. The following summer, I attended a summer study session there. During both experiences, I got to see what it was like being a student in Ukraine, opening my eyes to realities that textbooks don’t always capture. More importantly, I greatly improved my language abilities and met many locals with whom I still keep in contact. After my first study abroad session I wrote a book about my impressions, Semester in Lviv, that I hoped would be beneficial for future Ukrainian Studies students and other interested readers.
Before one of my summer trips to Ukraine, I visited friends in Munich, Germany and discovered a small Ukrainian university there, where I later studied pedagogy. Among the people I met in Munich were many Ukrainian émigrés with intriguing post-WWII stories.
When I graduated from the U of A, I took a summer job with the Ukrainian Language Education Centre on campus which proved valuable for my future teaching career. After brief teaching stints in Germany and Poland, the exciting and hopeful events that occurred in Ukraine in the winter of 2004, during which I was an elections observer, convinced me that it was finally time to investigate my job prospects in the country of my ancestors and relatives. An internet search led me to discover an international school in Kyiv that was hiring foreign teachers. I accepted a position and continue to work there as a grade three teacher, relishing any opportunity to educate my international students about their host country and to take part in cultural events around the city.
Another exciting opportunity that arose while living in Kyiv was being offered a job at a national television station as an English language newscaster. The work included keeping abreast of Ukrainian politics, translating news stories and presenting news live on air.
Ukraine, a relatively young independent country, is developing at a fast pace, and I have discovered that there are many ways to contribute to its growth from both inside and outside the country.
I never imagined, upon commencing my degree, that I would experience so many exciting and unforgettable moments as a result of my Major in Ukrainian. In retrospect, I would not hesitate advising anyone to take a similar path. The biggest challenges along the way included the hours of study required to master the language and to ensure success as a future teacher and translator, not to mention the risks I have taken to create opportunities that may not have already existed. The selection of an area of study for which I was very passionate resulted in fulfillment in all positions my career path has taken me."
STEFAN SOKOLOWSKI
Stefan in Chernihiv, December 2003
"Through the Canadian government's Young Professionals International Program, I participated in a 6-month intership at Ukrainskyi Tsentr Ekonomichnykh i Politychnykh Doslidzhen im. Oleksandra Razumkova (Razumkov Centre), a leading Ukrainian think tank located in Kyiv. From September 2003 to March 2004, my work consisted mainly of editing the English in the Centre's publications, but I also attended roundtable discussions on a variety of topics and carried out research and translations. Some of the highlights of my time in Ukraine were frequent weekend trips around the country (to Lviv, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Odesa, Ternopil and Ivano-Frankivsk), visiting my relatives in Chernivtsi oblast for Christmas, getting to know my friendly and entertaining coworkers as well as other Canadian interns working in Kyiv, and seeing firsthand the fascinating language situation in the capital city and Ukraine as a whole. I also particularly enjoyed everyday life in Kyiv — riding the Metro, shopping at markets and western style hypermarkets, and lining up to pay utility bills. Probably the most challenging experience was dealing with a border guard who demanded a bribe when I was taking the Chernivtsi-Kyiv train, which runs through Moldova."
TAMARA HORPYNIUK
Bachelor of Secondary Education (U of Alberta): Major in Ukrainian and minor in English. Currently, she is a Grade 4 teacher at St. Martin Ukrainian Bilingual School in Edmonton, Alberta.
Tamara with a child from one of the orphanages she visited in 2005
"Studying Ukrainian language and culture at the University of Alberta was truly a rewarding and life-inspiring experience. My studies increased my passion for Ukrainian language and culture and the desire to share it with others. In the summers of 2005 and 2006, I was fortunate to work in the capacity of a counselor at OSVITA, an intensive Ukrainian summer school immersion program run by St. John’s Institute in Edmonton. My task was to accompany high school students to Ukraine so that they could experience contemporary Ukraine and practice their language skills in an all-encompassing environment. Some of the highlights of these trips included touring churches, museums, monasteries, and visiting local orphanages.
This work experience was an important factor in my life, because it allowed me to be a role model and to help these Canadian students connect with their Ukrainian roots. My personal goal of educating youth as a Bachelor of Educaction is now being accomplished: I am now a Ukrainian bilingual teacher. Educating younger generations so that they can continue to keep our rich Ukrainian culture alive is a powerful and rewarding experience. "
ARETA HRYSHCHUK
Bachelor of Education (U of Alberta): Major in Ukrainian and minor in English.
Areta in Zaporizhzhia during 2006 Parliamentary Elections
Areta and Oriana Masiuk during 2006 Parliamentary Elections
"I had the opportunity to represent the Ukrainian Canadian Congress during the 2006 Ukrainian Parliamentary elections, as a voluntary international election observer. I am very proud to have been part of an incredible team that was so well versed in the dynamics of Ukrainian politics and the Laws of Ukraine. Our goal was to help ensure a just electoral process. The knowledge that I gained by experiencing first hand what I have been studying is priceless. Furthermore, over the course of this mission, I met countless influential people in both Canadian and Ukrainian politics, creating ties that otherwise would not have been possible. Nevertheless, the most rewarding part of this experience will always remain the fact that we, as election observers, may have potentially made a difference in the lives of Ukrainians and the future of their Parliament."
MYKOLA NYKYFORUK
BA (U of A): Major in Psychology, Minor in Ukrainian Language and Literature.
Mykola, second from right, in Luhans’k during the 2006 Parliamentary Elections
"Я, як міжнародний спостерігач виборів до ВР (Верховної Ради) України, був призначений до п’яти районів Луганської області, які знаходяться на північному сході від Луганська під номером 111, ТВО (Територіального виборчого округу). На цей округ нас було призначено четверо чоловік – один водій, один член преси (громадянин України), та два міжнародні спостерігачі (мій брат Андрій та я). Нас, всіх спостерігачів поселили в Луганському готелі під назвою Ініціал.
На моє загальне враження, вибори пройшли найбільш-демократично та чесно від Дня незалежості України. Звичайно порушення відбувалися під час голосування, але з мого досвіду (судячи по наших призначених дільницях) причини були технічні та не мало ніякого впливу на кінцеві результати виборів. Найбільшу помилку, яку влада зробила щодо виборів 2006 року – це те що вони вирішили провести голосування до обласних, районних та місцевих рад, під час голосування до ВР. Це завдало дуже багато роботи та обмежило час для приготування до виборів. Наприклад, так як збори комісії і приготування скриньок та бюлетнів повинні починатися 45 хв. перед виборами (згідно закону), тобто о 6:15 і не раніше, бо вибори починаються рівно о 7:00, то на багатьох дільницях цей проміжок часу (45хв.) було дуже тяжко подолати і вибори починалися після сьомої години – а це вже є порушенням. Найбільше постраждали всі члени комісій, які мусили сидіти ночами та рахувати голоси до самого кінця процесу голосування, яке закінчилось три дні після виборів.
Переважно в Луганській області більшість розмовляює по-російськи. Я навіть відновив свою російську мову, коли відвідував усі дільниці. Але був один цікавий момент. Прийшли ми на одну дільницю і—так як всюди—попросили комісію показати нам списки виборців для перевірки проти фальсифікацій. Так як ми вже привикли до російської мови, то ми автоматично запитали це в них по-російськи. Ну, трішки ще порозмовляли, а нарешті зовсім несподівано для нас, вони запитують: “А можна з вами говорити по-українськи?” Нам було дуже приємно це почути і звичайно ми відповіли: “Так!” Просто дільниця ця знаходилася досить близько кордону з Росією, то ж ми не сподівались почути українську мову з боку місцевої комісії, адже селище все було російськомовним.
Самий день виборів пройшов дуже швидко, на наше здивування. Це напевно тому, що ми настроїлися не спати 3 дні. Нам було відомо, що рахування голосів затягнеться дуже довго... Коли комісія починає рахувати, то всі спостерігачі не мають права вийти і ще раз зайти, хіба-що при спеціальному дозволу комісії. Наша дільниця складалася з 132 виборця (а це дуже мало порівняно з іншими дільницями, де голосувало 3,000). Тож, рахування голосів затягнулося до третьої години ранку понеділка, і ми спокійно поїхали назад в готель відпочити. На інших дільницях рахування тривало аж до вівтірка. Ото ж, нам дуже пощастило."
