The Experience Changes You

Living and working in a foreign country, especially one that is significantly different from one's own homeland, changes an individual considerably.  Of course, one learns a great deal about his or her host country:  it's people, society, customs, culture, geography, politics, and history.  Language skills broaden and new lifelong friendships form, but there are also some very significant and life altering changes that occur deep within a person.   An individual definitely experiences some paradigm shifts, and one's world view becomes broader, clearer and different.  Political views may change, and a person's career path may take a different course.


Some changes are subtle, but no less significant.  For instance, my personal library is maturing in ways I would not have anticipated a year ago.  I am currently reading The Master and Margarita, by Mikhail Bulgakov (Мастер и Маргарита, Михаил Булгаков) on the recommendation of my good friend Sasha.  It is possible I would not have known the book existed if I had not met him.  I recently finished a biography of Stalin, and when I am finished with Master and Margarita, I will begin a book about the Holodomor, Bloodlands.


After stepping back onto American soil after an extended period of living and working with Ukrianians, I can say with confidence that I am a very different person than I was when I left the U.S. in December, 2010.

My Fulbright Scholarship in Ukraine was an absolutely significant and life changing milestone in my life.  I count it as one of my most important personal and professional growth experiences. 

St. Volodymyr Cathedral

One aspect of Ukraine that I really enjoyed was the beautiful churches.  Many Ukrainian and Russian Orthodox churches are absolutely magnificent.  I have already posted some photos of churches in Kyiv, but every city in Ukraine has its share of splendid churches, and Luhansk is no exception.  Below is a photo of St. Volodymyr Cathedral which I passed frequently when I rode the marshrutka downtown.  I do not know exactly when this cathedral was built, but it is actually a modern church that was constructed recently.  I took this photograph in March, 2011.

St. Volodymyr Cathedral, Luhansk 

October

I really need to get back to updating my blog regularly.  While I may no longer be in Ukraine, there is still plenty to discuss and write about.  I also want to keep adding photos, which I didn't get an opportunity to upload while I was in Ukraine.


In October, Dr. Olga Krsek and Dr. Fedir Sokhatsky were in the U.S. participating in the International Visitor Leadership Program: "Inclusive Education for Students with Disabilities." This program was sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.  I was absolutely thrilled to get a chance to see them while they were here.  They visited schools and universities in Washington, D.C.; Pensacola, Florida and St. Louis, Missouri.  The purpose of the program was to give Ukrainian educators and government officials opportunities to experience successful inclusive education programs.  Those who have been following my blog are aware that Dr. Krsek has been working hard to develop an inclusion program for deaf and hard of hearing students at Volodymyr Dahl East Ukrainian University.  Dr. Sokhatsky has also been hard at work creating opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing students at the University of Ukraine in Vinnytsia.

I drove out to St. Louis while Olga and Fedir were there, and I had a chance to spend an entire day with them.  It was wonderful, but it was also sad saying good bye to them again, though I know we will meet again someday.



Dr. Olga Krsek and Dr. Fedir Sokhatsky at Citygarden in St. Louis



Fedir, William Sheldon, Olga enjoying
lunch at a restaurant near Citygarden