post 31 december

Okay, so then what happened?

Well, I sent some of you bits and pieces of information, forgot who I told what, and then kept delaying writing a blog post because I’d afraid some of you would find it outrageously redundant, and then, and then, and then…

And now! I’m in Lutsk, as you already know!

I gave the speech! You can watch it HERE!
It went pretty well, actually, and I got lots of nice compliments, but now I’m spending most of my time speaking English, so I’m concerned that all of the Ukrainian I know will slip out of my head before I start tutoring!

My counterpart, Natalia, and I took an overnight train from Kyiv to Lutsk, leaving at about 9 pm and arriving around 7 am. It was a very chilly evening, with lots of snow, and some [newly sworn-in! :)] PCVs were delayed in Kyiv for a few more days. In Lutsk, we took a taxi to my new home, an apartment in a dormitory. The elevator wasn’t working, and the apartment was on the third floor, but we still managed to get all of my luggage up to my door—including a giant bag containing a Peace-Corps-issued heater [for which I am thankful now, clearly, but was a little overwhelmed by then!].

My apartment is quite spacious, and I have it all to myself! I have a living room, bedroom, bathroom, shower, and kitchen, plus a tiny balcony accessible through the kitchen window. The windows are large and let in plenty of light, especially on especially snow-gleamy days.

The university where I will be working— for the next two years!—is Volynska National University [named for Leci Ukrainka]. That’s the entire name. Leci Ukrainka was a Ukrainian [surprise!] poet who changed her last name to show her pride in her language and heritage, but that’s basically all I know about her at this point. She shows up in statues and busts, as well as on the 200 hryvnia note [the back of which shows the castle in Lustk!].

So, there’s a castle in Lutsk, as well as parks, restaurants, and all kinds of other fine establishments, including at least two bazaars, a few theaters, and one giant “hypermarket” called Tam-Tam, meaning there-there. Where can I buy hangers and butter and a pillowcase all at the same time? There-there. It’s an exciting place.

I’ve observed and taught a few lessons so far, but this is now on hiatus: now it’s break time! New Years comes first in Ukraine, with Christmas on January 7, so our break is from December 31 to January 10. Then, there are two more weeks of classes for most students in the university, then two weeks of exams, and then the new semester starts in February.

I mention “most” students have classes after the break, but only some master’s degree students have classes then, and that’s who I’m teaching at this point. Conversational English/ Philology and Applied Linguistics- oh my! In the new semester, I will be working with more students, including possibly in a Political Linguistics class, and maybe even a Creative Writing course! Hooray!

Additionally, I’m helping to revise a translation of a Ukrainian history book, and coaching a high school student who is competing in the English Olympiad. Each subject area has an Olympiad, and the English competition includes reading, listening, writing, and impromptu speaking. Luckily, she’s very well prepared, so it’s fun to help her practice.

Other than that, I’m spending much of my time adjusting, including figuring out which buses I can take other than just bus 15, deciding what and how to cook for dinner, and buying the things that I turn out to really actually need after all, like that pillowcase. It’s for the pillow on the second bed, by the way, meaning that hey—you could come visit Ukraine! I have two beds and a big couch, and lots of floor space, too, so, what are you waiting for? :)