The Fulbright experience is a lesson in personal and professional growth. I have traveled to a great many places in the world, staying in a country for no longer than a few weeks at a time. My primary aspiration this semester was simply to live with Ukrainians and experience life on a day-to-day basis as they do, hopefully gaining new perspectives on culture and history. Through my teaching and my travels I believe I have accomplished those things. Although my experiences have been somewhat superficial, as I can't speak Ukrainian or Russian, I certainly have learned much about Ukraine and myself.
Much has been historically made of the “evils of communism” in the United States. We have been taught, in many ways, to fear this part of the world. There are definitely aspects of the Soviet system that are apparent and not desirable. However, I think we have much to learn from the people who have survived and still live meager lifestyles. Living simply is definitely something we need to get better at in the United States. Also, in all the cities I have traveled in Ukraine the parks are well used. Each evening there are groups of men, old and young, playing chess, cards, and dominoes together. Young adults sit on park benches, laughing, smiling, and clearly telling engaging stories to each other. Sometimes a young man is playing guitar and leading the group in singing. On Khreshchatyk Boulevard there are many street musicians and performers, but the ones that stand out to me are the ones that are leading large groups in singing together. One accordion player inspired a large crowd to sing what sounded like traditional Russian marching songs. At the football stadium the fans break out in song throughout the match. There is a sense of community, of connectedness here that I don't feel at home where privacy and individuality are supreme values.
On the other hand, I cringe at the environmentally destructive carelessness of so many of the people. What disturbs me the most is people tossing their trash all over the parks and streets. Early every morning I see the vast crews of mostly women with their stick brooms sweeping up the cigarette butts, bottles, and general trash that litters every corner of the city. By 9 am, the city is clean once again to start the day. Coming from Oregon, where recycling is a religion and the earth is our mother, I keep wanting to say “Don't throw that wrapper on the ground! Pick that up!!” But of course, lacking the language and the courage, I keep to myself.
In many ways, people here often have the attitude “Things will never change. You don't understand the Soviet cloud.” As I give workshops about technology and new ideas in education teachers are typically skeptical. Yet, I see every student with an MP3 player and a cell phone and I've seen $2,000 smart boards in a couple of schools. Change moves slowly, but surely; in many ways it is already here.
It will be interesting to see how the sense of the future changes as the young adults I teach move into society. I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching my students. At times it has been frustrating, as plagiarism and cheating are accepted practices. Mostly, however, it is exciting to be in a young democracy and students certainly have a feel for that. When we learn U.S. History we focus on presidents and wars and the elite of our society. I feel as if I am experiencing in many ways how it must have been for the regular people of the revolutionary age. These young adults are not sure about the future of their country. Many believe it will split apart into the Russian side and the Western side (memories of the North vs. the South?). A number of people just laugh and say that corruption reins as their country is manipulated by the rich, that their basic lives don't change much, similar to the thoughts of most of agrarian America in the early days. Yet, there also is a sense of newness and of excitement as they are embarking on a grand experiment. “We're not sure how it is going to turn out.” The young have great hopes for their country. The tremendous pride they have in their country shines through in every essay. They generally love their families and the beauty of their lands. Big ideas are discussed regularly as people debate politics and the future of Ukraine.
I've certainly experienced my challenges as I have been here, but I have also come to know the importance of community and the thrill of a new dawn.
