I’ve been learning a lot while I’ve been in Ukraine. Here are 10 things that you probably didn’t know!
1) They LOVE to eat here. Our hosts bring us treats almost every time they see us and dang, do they have some good food. One night we were invited to come have dinner at one of our ministry host’s apartment to discuss English lessons. We thought this was just a casual meeting but we had no idea just how much food we would be getting. They literally served us a 5 course meal. They started us off with some compote (tea made from dried fruit that tastes like you’re literally drinking a campfire) and homemade bread. Then they fed us one of the Ukrainian staples called Borsh (beet based soup with potatoes, beef and other vegetables- SO GOOD). Next they brought out what they call pierogi (little dumpling type things with mushrooms, potatoes, and cabbage). Next they served us these things they call “bread pies” which are basically just bun type things with garlic. For dessert they first brought out this zucchini-bread type dessert. Then they brought out more pierogi but this time filled with either cherries or sweet cheese (like cream cheese). Finally they also brought out some Ukrainian candy and cookies. Let’s just say we were all having trouble walking after that meal…
2) The kids love to run. When walking around in the school you will be kept on your toes; expect to literally be ran into multiple times a day. It’s a real blast.
3) Bring your umbrellas and rain coats. It’s chilly and rains quite a bit here. Also the cars on the roads will probably end up splashing you before you leave. We’ve had a real good time dodging the puddles that the cars hit as they drive past.
4) If you hang out with any teens here, you will have many pictures taken of you, and they will often be posted on social media. You will also be getting many followers on Instagram. Often times at the end of the classes we were teaching we’d ask if the students had any questions for us, one of their favorites is if we have Instagram.
5) The kids at the school don’t have any actual sports teams but they still love to play sports. When we were teaching at some of the classes a lot of the hobbies they’d say they had involved either soccer or basketball. Me and my teammate Zac have gone to play basketball with them a couple times between classes and it’s been so fun. It’s awesome that they find a way to do what they love even when their resources are scarce.
6) Be thankful for the classes you had in high school. If I went to Ukrainian school I don’t know if I’d survive. Some of these kids literally have 3 math classes (currently cringing very hard just thinking about it), 2 history classes, English language class, Ukrainian language class, and science… No, just no. Art class got me through high school.
7) You may be spontaneously interviewed about what you’re impressions of Ukraine and the teachers are. How you’re supposed to answer this question I have no idea, but all the teachers will ask you. Some may even record your answers with the flash on their phones inches from your eyes (yes this happened and I saw white dots for a solid 5 minutes afterwards). This one teacher would also follow us around to our different classes and record us while we were teaching by walking right up to us during class with his flash on (he really likes his flash).
8) Groceries are all about trial and error. You may think you’re buying butter, but it’s actually spreadable cheese. You may think you’re buying sour cream and onion chips, but they’re actually spicy horseradish chips that burn your tongue. And you may think you’re buying milk, but it’s actually kefir (fermented milk that has the consistency of yogurt and tastes really sour). You may think you’re biting into a slice of cheese, but it’s actually a chunk of fat (it’s apparently a popular food here called Salo). Also in general if you are buying water make sure you ask for water without carbonation as that is what they’ll naturally give you. They really love carbonated water in Europe for some reason… it’s a mystery to me cause I think it’s disgusting.
9) I’ve been made aware that we Americans love to put our feet on everything, and apparently this is unusual. Europeans do not do such things. We’ve already been scolded by train workers to take our feet off the seats, and our hosts have told us that it’s very disrespectful to put your feet on furniture here. I’m not gonna lie, It’s been a real struggle getting used to this one. It’s just so natural to put your feet up on the table or chair in front of you. I mean it makes sense; feet are pretty dirty, but it’s just a natural thing in America to put our feet wherever we please.
10) Make sure you now the greetings. If you’re a girl, the guys will either give you a high five or handshake (always a fun time trying to figure out which one they’re going for… so many awkward encounters haha). And the girls will give you hugs. If you do the wrong thing it can be seen as disrespectful, so know what’s culturally appropriate. Overall, the people here are very warm and inviting. They love to make you feel at home, and it’s been awesome getting to know them and some of their stories.
Thank you so much for reading! Please be praying for the students at our English school and that God would speak through us and reach their hearts.
Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord”
P.S. Fundraising still in progress! If you would consider any amount of financial contribution I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you for your continued support and prayers! I love you all!
