(and for those of you who don’t read/understand russian (like me!) that means Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine! Really.)
I decided that I wanted my friends and family to be able to stay in contact with me while i’m half a world away, so here’s my solution --- a blog :) Ohhhh boyyyyy :) We’ll see if I actually keep it up!
So let’s start at the very beginning --- after all, I’ve been told that it’s a very good place to start :)
This is my story -
Currently, I’m a communications major in the advertising program at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Life is oh so good :) I feel so blessed --- I have an amazing family, wonderful friends, and so so so many opportunities. I feel like I’m where I’m supposed to be for right now (even if I like to rag on Utah every once in a while :)... who doesn't?!), and that's a good feeling! Even though life is going just great here, I’ve decided that I need a change... you know, just to mix things up a little bit :) So here’s what I’ve decided to do ---- I’M GOING TO UKRAINE!
Before you all say “What the heck Katie, WHY UKRAINE? Girllllll, you crazy!”, let me explain.
Here’s the deal: Growing up, I’ve always wanted to do a study abroad... and preferably in Europe :) I want to see another part of the world. I want to actually get to know and learn to love another group of people. I want to see history and art and culture that is way older than 1776. I want to have stories to tell my children about the time I lived in Europe. I want to eat crazy food, use a map, and ride a bus for once in my life :) In short, I just want to experience a whole different way of living.
However, as I've been in college, I haven't been able to find a study abroad program that seemed to fit me, my goals, and my major. This is going to sound pretty judgmental (Ok - really judgmental - but this is how I feel...), but I really don't want to be seen as some spoiled american tourist just vacationing in Europe... I want to DO something, be productive, make a difference. My mom knew how I felt, and one day, she told me that she had found an agency called ILP (International Language Programs) that sends american students to different countries to participate in an english teaching program. Well, I decided it wouldn’t hurt if I applied, so without a lot of thought or planning, that’s just what I did!
After a few interviews, tons of paperwork, a little waiting, and A LOT of decision making (oh so difficult for an indecisive individual such as myself...), I was accepted into the program! I chose to go to Ukraine, and was assigned to teach in Kiev. While things may still change (I’ve found that life has a tendency to do that haha) it looks like I’ll be spending my next Fall semester in a whole new country! While I’m there, I’ll live with a host family, teach English to elementary school students at a school called Liceum "Darovanie" for about 20 hours each week, and in my time off... peace! I’ll be traveling around Europe --- sounds like a dream, doesn’t it?! Well, it definitely does to me!
After a few interviews, tons of paperwork, a little waiting, and A LOT of decision making (oh so difficult for an indecisive individual such as myself...), I was accepted into the program! I chose to go to Ukraine, and was assigned to teach in Kiev. While things may still change (I’ve found that life has a tendency to do that haha) it looks like I’ll be spending my next Fall semester in a whole new country! While I’m there, I’ll live with a host family, teach English to elementary school students at a school called Liceum "Darovanie" for about 20 hours each week, and in my time off... peace! I’ll be traveling around Europe --- sounds like a dream, doesn’t it?! Well, it definitely does to me!
Really, I couldn’t be more excited, and I’m so thankful that I even have this opportunity. It seems like Fall can't come fast enough now! I’m sure I’ll be lonely at times, I’m sure I’ll get tired of teaching english at times, and I’m sure I’ll feel completely inadequate at times; but, I think that these feelings are healthy to a certain extent (within reason!). I’ve found that it’s the rough times in life which really force me to grow. Life isn’t always easy, it isn’t what we plan on, and things don’t always go the way we’d choose; but it does have a tendency to work out in the end... at least that’s what I’m banking on :) I'm sure that my four months in Ukraine will stretch me, test me, and push me --- but I also believe that they have the potential to become some of the most memorable moments of my life --- As in all things, these four months will be what I make of them.
I hope to learn a lot, live a lot, and love a lot while I’m in Kiev.
I hope to learn a lot, live a lot, and love a lot while I’m in Kiev.
Long story short, I’M GOING TO UKRAINE!!! :D
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