After a first full day at what looks like will be my new site, I am enjoying it. In a change of pace, which I will only describe as different, I am now with a family that speaks only a little English. This is good for my learning of the Ukrainian language, my first family was helpful with the ability to speak either language, a big help since I was coming in with zero language and appreciated being able to get my point across. Now I am having to communicate fully in another language, which I am enjoying and able to get simple messages across, but also shows how much I still need to learn and study. I am still in the process of building blocks and cannot just hear a new word, remember it and be able to use it. But it is also comforting to hear that while the volunteers currently at this site can comprehend this I have no idea what was said, they are still learning new words all the time as well.
But as for my time exploring the community, thus far I have been talking a lot with one of the two current volunteers and hearing about how much he has done and where I may be able to pick up from where he and his wife are leaving off. The biggest lesson is that I can’t try and do just that, but rather take what they have prepared and make my own thing. A good lesson to hear and necessary to remember.
Two of the primary projects for me at least initially will be working on the school newspaper, an excellent starting point where a lot of work has been done, and co-teaching some technology classes. The idea of me being a general teacher does not seem to be a focus at this particular site, which I enjoy, but will be able to build from my primary site and what looks like a dynamic site at the local library to create some very interesting programs. The director of the school at my primary site is not wanting me to teach alone right now, which I am fine with, but does want to work with me on more specialized projects and help teach some of the technology classes. My initial impression of him was good as he is an energetic person, but also willing to speak his opinion of what he thinks will and will not work. It is a relationship that has already been crafted by the current volunteer and I think I can continue to build on it.
As for the English teachers at the school, I have already fallen in love with them and look forward to working with them more. They are also an energetic bunch and seem to enjoy the company of an American, which is good, but also don’t seem to be trying to impress me too much either. They have been very welcoming of me thus far and I look forward to more interaction with them.
So overall my impression of the site is I could not have gotten much luckier. It is a small site, yet is very compact and has a lot of facilities I think can be put to good use.
I am sure I will find my frustrations, which I have been warned do occur daily, but my biggest and basically only frustration thus far has been the mosquitoes. They are already out in force here and as usual, I am a favorite target. If I am going to survive this summer, I will need plenty of bug spray from the central office in Kyiv. Otherwise I’ll end up shriveled up and dead, not a fun thought. But if I can avoid that, I think this site should work out pretty well.