My “Welcome to America”
I am a senior lecturer at the National Academy of State Tax Service of Ukraine. As a Fulbright visiting scholar, I was placed at the Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS), where I am doing research on Applied Linguistics. My interest is Academic Writing, and when I return to Ukraine I plan to develop a syllabus for a course in this field and to publish a manual for university students.
My work involves classroom observations, communication with American colleagues, participation in conferences and seminars, and collecting materials.
MIIS is a small, yet one of the most prestigious graduate schools in the USA. Strong professional skills, solid language competency and rich multicultural experience constitute the Institute's approach. Teaching methods are highly focused on students' creativity and various forms of group work. I was fortunate to be a member of a team working on Language Curriculum for Nonproliferation Studies in which I gained valuable experience about team spirit, professional approaches, and cross cultural communication.
Another feature, which makes the MIIS a unique place, is the composition of the student body. It represents more than 50 nations, and nearly all students speak two or three languages. MIIS is a vivid example of how diverse, interesting and small our world is!
Monterey is a picturesque place in central California. I am impressed by its rocky coast, ocean smell, warm climate and rich wildlife. I still remember my astonishment when I discovered that my close and, fortunately, friendly neighbors were shy mother deer with their fawns, hilarious raccoons playing in the roof of my house, and barking sea lions in Monterey Bay. No, I don't live outside Monterey -- my house is just four blocks from downtown! Monterey is also famous for its amazing Bay Aquarium with exotic fishes and cute sea otters, a well-known symbol of Monterey.
One of my most memorable events was celebrating Thanksgiving Day with an American-Ukrainian family in Seattle. They were second and the third generation Americans. Some of them have never been to Ukraine and do not speak Ukrainian (except for a few common words), yet they cherish their Ukrainian traditions. They still celebrate some Ukrainian holidays, such as Orthodox Christmas and Easter, listen to Ukrainian music and enjoy borsch (beet soup) and varenyky (pirogies) on Sundays. For me, it was so unusual and touching to see an American Thanksgiving turkey feast laid out on a Ukrainian embroidered tablecloth!
One of my most amusing moments was what I later names as “my introduction to American English.” On my second day in Monterey in a Mexican fast food restaurant I was asked a question which sounded a bit strange to me, “For here or to go?” I understood what it meant, but I answered in British English (as I had been taught), “Take away, please.” A young Mexican man looked at me very attentively, then put up his forefinger, concentrated his look on the ceiling and repeated, “Umm… Take away.” So, we both learned a new expression at the same time.
Living and studying in the United States gave me an excellent opportunity not only to concentrate on my research, meet highly professional specialists in my field, share ideas with colleagues from different countries, but also to reevaluate my methods of teaching, future plans and personal experience. Finally, I would like to thank the Fulbright team in Ukraine for their support, consideration and professional work.
