So, I just found out that I'll be spending my next three months in the small village of Hermanivka, Ukraine! It's located in the Kiev Oblast about 55km from Kiev. I can't believe I'll be in such a small town!
During our training, we'll be learning lots of Ukrainian as well as doing teaching training. It's all very exciting. I can't wait to meet my host family!!
I won't have steady access to internet as the only internet available is at a local school. Luckily, the principal has agreed to let us use it when we need to. I'll try to update when I can!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Finally in Ukraine!!
We are finally in Ukraine! We got in yesterday at about 1pm Ukrainian time and we were all so tired. I tried to stay awake to see the countryside, but it was all but impossible. We got into our room at our hotel, which is pretty nice and then we had a welcoming ceremony with bread and salt. After that, we had our first meal in Ukraine. Chicken and rice!! Some of us had to get some vaccinations. I had four shots. FOUR. My arms are still sore, but better safe than sorry! They also gave us a medical kit to take with us.
After dinner, I went to sleep at about 8pm and woke up about 7am today. We had some more sessions on what to expect, what we will be doing as teachers, and did some other bureaucratic things. After lunch we will have our first Ukrainian session! I'm very excited. It seems that more people are learning Russian than Ukrainian, which is surprising. I'm excited to learn Ukrainian as I feel it's a language that most people don't have the opportunity to learn.
Tomorrow, we will meet our host families and go off to live with them! We will be in a "cluster" with 4 other volunteers who will live in the same village. We will also have another cluster that will be our "link" and we'll be able to visit them and hang out. I can't wait to meet my host family. Will they have kids? heat? toilet? I guess I'll find out tomorrow! Everything is moving very fast, but very efficiently. Ok, well I'm off to my first Ukrainian lesson. I'll try to update after if I can.
After dinner, I went to sleep at about 8pm and woke up about 7am today. We had some more sessions on what to expect, what we will be doing as teachers, and did some other bureaucratic things. After lunch we will have our first Ukrainian session! I'm very excited. It seems that more people are learning Russian than Ukrainian, which is surprising. I'm excited to learn Ukrainian as I feel it's a language that most people don't have the opportunity to learn.
Tomorrow, we will meet our host families and go off to live with them! We will be in a "cluster" with 4 other volunteers who will live in the same village. We will also have another cluster that will be our "link" and we'll be able to visit them and hang out. I can't wait to meet my host family. Will they have kids? heat? toilet? I guess I'll find out tomorrow! Everything is moving very fast, but very efficiently. Ok, well I'm off to my first Ukrainian lesson. I'll try to update after if I can.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Leaving tomorrow!!
Just got back from a cruise to the Bahamas with the fam! It was really nice and relaxing. I'm glad we got to have some family time before I left for Ukraine. I'm nice and sunburnt now :)
In four hours I leave Atlanta for DC for Staging! I'm super excited and nervous. I hope my bags will be fine and I haven't forgotten anything. Hopefully I won't fall asleep during the sessions. Tomorrow is when it gets real. Luckily, I'm going to have dinner with some of my best buddies in DC, so that will be a nice farewell. I'm going to miss my friends and family so much.
Leave me your address if you would like a postcard! I'll try to update again tomorrow or when I have internet access in Ukraine. Oh, also, I'll have my cell phone with me in Ukraine (just got my brother's old international blackberry woooo) so you can contact me if you really need to.
<3
Erin
In four hours I leave Atlanta for DC for Staging! I'm super excited and nervous. I hope my bags will be fine and I haven't forgotten anything. Hopefully I won't fall asleep during the sessions. Tomorrow is when it gets real. Luckily, I'm going to have dinner with some of my best buddies in DC, so that will be a nice farewell. I'm going to miss my friends and family so much.
Leave me your address if you would like a postcard! I'll try to update again tomorrow or when I have internet access in Ukraine. Oh, also, I'll have my cell phone with me in Ukraine (just got my brother's old international blackberry woooo) so you can contact me if you really need to.
<3
Erin
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Leaving March 21st, I hope?
Nothing like a reminder that you work for the government....
Dear Group 41,
A few of you have contacted me recently with questions regarding the effect a government shutdown could have on your departure for Ukraine. Today, Congress agreed in principle to pass a Continuing Resolution that will fund the government through March 18th. While the extension is welcome, I know that it would be poor timing for all of us if the government were to then shut down just prior to your departure on March 21st.
Rest assured, a government shutdown would only delay the departure of your class until the budget is resolved. The Peace Corps would plan to send your group of volunteers to Ukraine as soon as possible. The new date of departure would be contingent on: 1) when the new budget is passed and 2) when we are able to book new hotel rooms for Staging and arrange new flights to Ukraine for your group. In the event of a shutdown, I anticipate being deemed “essential personnel”, so I will send you updated information as I receive it.
At this point, the decision ultimately lies with Congress and we will base our plans on the timing of the budget they pass. As always, our priority is getting volunteers into the field and we will be aiming to do that as soon as possible.
Regards,
Lenny
Lenny
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