Last Days in Kyiv

It's been a very busy two days. Yesterday we started with a presentation on Ukrainian history and culture.  I will fill you in later with some specifics, but here are a few extra credit opportunities for anyone who gets the right answer--sorry, students only.
1. Who was Taras Shevchenko and what does he symbolize for the Ukrainian people?

We also took a city tour yesterday.  Here are some highlights of the trip.

What is the name of this statue and how tall does she stand?

What's the name of this church? What religion is practiced here?

In case you need to brush up on your Ukrainian....

This is an honors class at one of the best public schools in Ukraine.  This student is giving a presentation about different kinds of art.

I tried to help this little, old lady across the street, but she refused to go.  I don't think she likes Americans.

8th grade all-stars

Here is a short video I put together of some of my 8th grade students asking questions to their Ukraine counterparts.  Someone please let me know if you can/can't access this.

Ukraine Sweet Ukraine: First Impressions

Welcome to Kyiv!

Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex--Host of UEFA Euro 2012

What is this guy saying to his donkey? I have no idea, but I like it!

Dinner Time!

Our first meal in Ukraine.  Some of us were unaware that there would be several courses.  I was almost ready to throw in the towel after the first course, but, hey, I'm an eater.

Well, it's been a long day....must get...sleep....

Departure

Newark International Airport. A view of the Manhattan skyline in the distance.  In thirteen short hours, I should be in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Ukraine Basics

• Capital:  Kyiv
• Location:  Eastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Poland, Romania, and Moldova in the west and Russia in the east
• Ethnic Groups:  Ukrainian 77.8%, Russian 17.3%, Belarusian 0.6%
• Languages: Ukrainian (official) 67%, Russian 24%
• Religions: Ukrainian Orthodox - Kyiv Patriarchate 50.4%, Ukrainian Orthodox - Moscow Patriarchate 26.1%, Ukrainian Greek Catholic 8%, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox 7.2%, Roman Catholic 2.2%, Protestant 2.2%, Jewish 0.6%, other 3.2%
• Population:  44,573,205
• Life Expectancy: 68.74 years
• Education Expenditures: 5.3% of GDP
• Government Type: Republic
• Independence: 24 August 1991
• GDP (purchasing power parity): $344.7 billion
• Unemployment Rate:  8.5%

(CIA-The World Factbook:  Ukraine)

TGC Ukraine Cohort in Washington, DC

To make a long story short....

About a year ago, I submitted an online application for the U.S. Department of State's Teachers for Global Classrooms (TGC) program, a professional development opportunity for middle and high school teachers aimed at globalizing teaching and learning in the classroom. I recognized the value in this immediately, and I bought into their mission wholeheartedly.

After a few months, I received a congratulatory email notifying me that I had been selected for the program.  I remembered applying for the fellowship, but unlike previous grants that I had applied for in the past, I forgot almost all the details.  The letter informed me that as part of TGC, I would participate in an online professional development course, attend two Global Education Symposia in Washington, DC, and travel on an international fellowship for a two or three week in-country visit.  It all seemed a little overwhelming, but I was in.

So here I am nearly ten months after receiving that initial email. I completed the rigorous yet rewarding eight-week course last fall.  I have attended one of the two Global Education Symposia in Washington, DC, with my principal, Mr. Trevor Jones, and next week I leave for...Ukraine.  I know.  It wasn't exactly my first choice, but that doesn't matter.  Over the years I have found myself in certain auspicious situations that have allowed me travel to one or two places.  Many times I've heard people comment with disbelief (and sometimes disgust) that they had never considered going to Country X.  Often I have responded with something like, "Then maybe you should."

Likewise, I had never considered Ukraine before, but how fortunate I am to be able to do so now.  I leave next week.  I will do my best to post comments and photographs and to interact with my students and with anyone else who has never considered Ukraine until now.  Won't you join me?