Canadian students gain six months of valuable experience in Ukraine (04/25/04)

Canadian students gain six months of valuable experience in Ukraine

by Vasyl Pawlowsky
Special to The Ukrainian Weekly

KYIV - Arriving in Ukraine just over six months ago, 13 Canadian students concluded their internship on March 31, bringing their relatively short, but worthwhile stay in Ukraine to a close.

The opportunity for these students to work in Ukraine is part of the Canadian government's Youth Employment Strategy that not only provides students, whom the government considers to be either unemployed or underemployed, and under the age of 30, the opportunity to learn and gain valuable international experience, but gives them a different appreciation of the world in which we live.

Administered by the Canadian Bureau for International Education, the program has very clear criteria for application, which can be found on the organization's website at www.cbie.ca. Although the number of internships is limited, those who make it through the program's screening process and are selected to participate, gain an international experience that can give them the edge over someone who has not had such an experience.

The Ukrainian Weekly took the opportunity to meet with Kristin Cavoukian, Stefan Sokoloski and Roman Zakaluzny prior to their departures for home in order to learn about their impressions and experiences. Ms. Cavoukian interned at Magister & Partners, a Kyiv-based law firm, Mr. Sokoloski, at the Razumkov Center for Economic and Political Studies, a well-known Ukrainian think-tank; and Mr. Zakaluzny contributed many stories to the Kyiv Post as a reporter.

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Q: Before you arrived in Ukraine for your internship what were you expecting, and how did you make the transition to living in non-English speaking environment, and a different culture?

A: Kristin Cavoukian: I wasn't sure exactly what to expect, but having spent time previously in a CIS country, Armenia, I had a rough idea of some of the challenges I might face. I knew it would be difficult to adjust, but Kyiv is such a cosmopolitan place, it's been much easier than I thought it would be.

It's difficult to live in a country where you don't speak the language. However, it's also a tremendous challenge, with little victories every day, like learning a new word, realizing you understood what someone just said, or figuring out the transit system.

Culturally, sometimes I find the chivalry here a bit difficult to handle, especially since it seems to be doled out unevenly. Men almost obsessively open doors for me on a daily basis, but a whole crowd of them walked past me without offering to help when I fell in a snow bank. The most difficult thing is to observe something that is so unbelievably intolerable in our culture, such as littering, throwing a lit cigarette in a plastic-bag-lined garbage, or cars driving on the sidewalks, and not passing judgment.

I have to admit, I pass judgment all the time.

Q: I understand that you were a research assistant at the Razumkov Center for Economic and Political Studies. What were some of your tasks and how do you feel they contributed to your development and experience?

A: Stefan Sokoloski: My major task at UCEPS/Razumkov Center was editing the English in "National Security and Defense." This was an important job, as the English translations were often not very good. Although it was sometimes frustrating to deal with the same English mistakes over and over again, I'm glad that I contributed to a more professional, readable magazine. The material I edited and the roundtables I attended taught me a great deal about Ukrainian politics.

I'm also fascinated by linguistics, so I enjoyed the opportunity to work with language. I learned a great deal about writing in English, as well a lot of Ukrainian and Russian. I also did research for the magazine, edited articles and speeches for researchers, and carried out small translations. I particularly enjoyed the translations.

Q: When you arrived in Kyiv six months ago, what were you expecting to get out of your internship?

A: Roman Zakaluzny: I was expecting some quality, practical experience in my field (reporting), an improvement in my Ukrainian language skills, and a fun time in a foreign country.

Q: What would you say are the biggest challenges for interns coming to Ukraine?

A: Stefan Sokoloski: Personally, I found the dominance of second-rate Russian and American mass culture and the neglect of contemporary Ukrainian culture and language to be one of the greatest challenges of living in Ukraine. The fact that, on the whole, only the worst of Western culture reaches Ukraine was also frustrating. This contributed to homesickness some of the time. The movies, music, magazines, etc. that I enjoy in Canada are not available in Ukraine, but the movies and music I detest have a strong presence.

For interns in general, I would think that simple culture shock is the greatest challenge. Related problems are homesickness and the language barrier (the latter was not a problem for me, on the whole).

Q: Do you feel that the experience you gained will assist you once you get back to Canada?

A: Kristin Cavoukian: Sure. Acquiring a new language and working overseas looks great on a resume. In a broader sense, this experience has expanded my horizons, strengthened certain aspects of my personality and exposed me to interesting people.

I also think that I see Canada in a new light, due to my experience here. There are many similarities between Ukraine and Canada. We both live next to a hegemonic power, and both experience similar cultural and political difficulties as a result. Both countries are deeply troubled by divisive language issues, and both suffer from political apathy. Also, since there are so many Ukrainians living in Canada, it almost feels like I'm learning about part of our collective Canadian heritage by learning about Ukrainian history and culture.

Q: I understand that you and a number of other interns will be staying on once your internships come to a close. What are your plans in the months to come?

A: Roman Zakaluzny: I'm not fully certain yet. There is a slight possibility I may still find employment in Ukraine in my field, as I would really like to be here for the elections. But this chance appears slim, in which case I hope to take my improved resume home and get a job in my field as soon as possible, as I have loans to pay back.

Q: What are your plans now that your internship is over? Do feel that the opportunity provided by the internship was worthwhile?

A: Stefan Sokoloski: My plans are still unclear. If I could find a job in Ukraine, I would consider returning for a short period of time. I know that I want to pursue graduate studies, probably in Canada, but I still have to decide on a program. I feel that the opportunity provided by the internship was definitely worthwhile. It gave me an opportunity to live in Ukraine, to work in Ukrainian, and to gain some experience working in a think-tank.

Q: Some interns will be leaving once the program is over, how many that you know of will be staying?

A: Roman Zakaluzny: As far as I know, only two of us will be staying on after the program. However, I know that many interns looked for an opportunity to extend their stay, and that many more will probably be back at some point.

Q: I understand you will be in Ukraine until the end of August. Was this something that you were prepared for prior to starting graduate school in the fall?

A: Kristin Cavoukian: I hadn't planned to stay when I got here in September, but I came to realize that it would be a shame to leave without seeing springtime and summer in this country. It's such a beautiful place anyway, but I'm sure it comes alive when trees and flowers are in full bloom. I can't wait to watch it all come alive.

Q: What was the most valuable experience that the internship provided you with?

A: Roman Zakaluzny: The experience to write about Ukrainian events in what I think is a very critical time in its history. Many experts believe that this year is the most important since independence in 1991. In the upcoming elections, Ukraine will decide whether it seeks to become liberal democratic or Eastern authoritarian. And I had the chance to see these developments transpire, to talk to experts on the issues and meet some of the players involved.

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