Peace Corps Q & A

I have been back in America for two weeks, and I find myself answering similar questions each time I talk with friends and family about my Peace Corps experience. This Q & A is not meant to replace those conversations but to summarize everything for my own reference, and perhaps to serve as a reference for future volunteers.

What did you do?

I worked as a consultant to NGOs in Ukraine. I was assigned to work with an American NGO working on a USAID grant in Ukraine. They distributed humanitarian aid, provided training to NGOs around the country, and worked with sister cities. I helped edit the newsletter, worked on the website, and worked with visiting American delegations. I learned a lot about the scope of NGO activity around Ukraine.

I also ran a coversational English Club at an AIDS NGO in Kyiv. I met weekly with a group of people affiliated with the organization who wanted to practice their English language skills. I did not teach English, but rather discussed various topics with attendees. We talked about current events, history, personal experiences, and occasionaly English grammer.

Did you like it/ Are you glad you did it?

Yes. I enjoyed Ukraine, and I am glad I joined and completed Peace Corps.

What did you like the most?

I enjoyed the slower pace of life in Ukraine. For example, people spend time together, just talking and walking around the main square in town.

What did you eat?

There is a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables available in Ukraine, which I enjoyed shopping for in outdoor markets and cooking. Also in Kyiv there are supermarkets where a wide variety of food is available. Almost like an American supermarket, but without the variety of ethnic foods. Typical Ukraine cuisine includes meat, potatoes and cabbage. Ukrainian borsht is not the beet soup known as borsht in America, but is a vegetable soup with cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, sometimes beans, and one or two beets.

Did you make friends?

Yes, I have Ukrainian friends and Peace Corps volunteer friends.

What is the Jewish community like in Ukraine?

The Jewish community is small, but vibrant. There is a large Orthodox community, hassidic Jews, often affiliated with the Chabad movement, many of whom have returned to Ukraine since Independence. There is a smaller Reform community, many of whom are Ukrainians who have kept their Jewish heritage alive throughout the communist era, or who have recently discovered their Jewish roots.

Did you learn the language?

I learned Russian, the Peace Corps language training is very good. For my first three months I lived with a host family and attended language courses six days per week. Ukrainian is spoken in western Ukraine, and Russian is spoken in the east and south.

Did you choose to go to Ukraine?

When I applied to Peace Corps, I was willing to go to Africa, Latin America, or Eastern Europe. Assigment is based upon each applicants skills and interests. I believe that placement depends upon which countries are taking volunteers and the discretion of the placement officer.