5/4/13
Hello Family and Friends, this is my first blog since leaving home on 3/24/13 for my Peace Corps venture. It has been more than 5 weeks and has been filled with lots of memories and experiences already. There were 45 of us who all staged in Washington D.C., and spent several days of orientation with the Peace Corps staff. We discussed our reasons for commitment, Peace Corps values, policies and procedures as well as our schedule for Preservice Training. Most importantly we had an opportunity to meet our fellow volunteer trainees and learn a bit about each other.
On 3/26/13 we boarded our plane for the long flight to Kiev, the capitol of Ukraine, where we were warmly greated by the Peace Corps staff, including the country director. There had been a recent huge snow storm in Ukraine, so when we stepped off the plane we also "stepped into" about 20 inches of snow! At a hotel in the nearby city of Chernihiv, we were pleased to have an official Ukrainian welcome! We spent several days of orientation, and were assigned to clusters of 4-5 persons who would be our "clustermates" for the duration of the 10 week Preservice training. We also learned which of us would be learning Ukraine or Russian. In my case I was assigned to learn Russian. The cluster that I am in is composed of 5 of us, all of whom are over 60, and we are in the Community Development section of the training modules. We also met some of our instructors. The Peace Corps assigns a language instructor (LCF) as well as a technical instructor (TCF) who works closely with particular clusters to help develop the skills that are necessary to be successful Peace Corps Volunteers.
Our Cluster and Language Instructor
Host Family
At the end of our orientation a key experience happened. Each of us met our host family, and left the hotel by taxi to the host family's home where we will be for the 10 weeks. I my case I have been assigned to be with a delightful middle aged widow who lives in an apartment in the Chernihiv area. She speaks Russian only, so the total immersion in the culture started immediately. The communication process started with (and continues to a lesser degree) with a lot of pointing and pantomime to communicate! One humorous (although not humorous at the time) event occurred when I on my second day of class I went on on the local marrshruka (minibus - more about those adventures another time!)) with my host mother. We got off the bus together and she said something to me in Russian that included the word "dva" which means "two". I had smiled at her as if I understood the conversation, so she promptly walked away from me into a nearby shop. I thought that she was telling me that the walk to my instructor's apartment would take two minutes, so I confidently walked into the underground in what I thought was the right direction. Within a short time I was lost and feeling a bit paniced about being late for my class, and having no idea how to ask for help - with my language skills being approximately three words of Russian at the time. I eventually backtracked and found my way to my instructor's apartment. She informed me that my host mother had been anxiously calling her saying that she had left me at the bus stop and told me to wait there for "two minutes" while she made a brief stop in the shop. As trainees, we call this a "cross cultural moment"! The cultural immersion includes not only learning a new language, but learning about a whole new culture - food, religion, the "does and don'ts", etc. It is a humbling experience at times, but also richly rewarding.
More Russian
Party and Relaxation
Classes
We have language and technical classes 6 days a week and my Russian is coming along slowly. As my friends and family know, patience is probably not my strongest character trait, so I wish I could learn faster than I am. Our cluster meets each morning at the apartment of our language instructor where we learn new words, phrases, and use various games and exercises to make the learning process more enjoyable. We also have technical classes where we discuss the skills and organizational experience relating to a community development project that we all have been assigned to. Many of us trainees had been skeptical that we could do all the necessary steps to get our project proposal in on time. In our cluster's case, we had decided to do a training workshop with a local league of professional women. This is where the cluster concept really kicked in. Our group was already getting to know and trust each other. We went into overdrive mode and developed task assignments based on our skills, helped each other out, met with local community persons who are key to our project. Miraculously, we got our assignment proposal done in time and felt like we were developing as a group into a "lean, mean,fighting machine", (tongue in cheek!). This has been the most crucial experience for me so far. Developing trusting friendships with your clustermates is essential to making it. We have all had times so far when we think - am I really able to do this? It is the team that you work with (which includes the Peace Corps staff) that can help you get through those times. Sort of like boot camp in the Marines?
Fun
On a lighter note, the Peace Corps staff ensures that we have fun activities as well. We have been exposed to several wonderful concerts in Chernihiv, a day trip to Kiev (where we used our language skills to read street signs, order in restaurants, etc.), two educational walking tours in the historical area of Chernihiv and a trip to the local history museum. Today several of us went for a lovely walk over a nearby bridge and into the woods along the river. We also are encouraged to exercise regularly and keep up our hobbies. For my fellow recorder players, I'll have you know that I brought 5 recorders (s, S,A,T,B). I don't play everyday, but at least several times a week. I haven't yet met any Ukrainian fellow musicians yet, but it is on my to do list when I receive my placement. Bill and the Marlybone Players gave me an alto recorder (my weakest instrument) as well as some advanced music to practice. I have volunteered to play our National Anthem (on the soprano) at our swearing in event in 5 weeks. One of the other trainees is going to play the Ukrainian National Anthem on his trumpet.
Church in Chernihiv
Kiev
Wrap Up
I hope to keep up this blog regularly, but I'm not sure yet how often. Thanks for all of your support. Jody continues to be my rock, and gives me a kick in the pants whenever I start moaning and groaning and doubting myself. Feel free to email me or send comments to this site if you like. I would ask that you keep your comments constructive - this site will probably be seen by numerous people.
This site represents my viewpoint and is not sponsored by the Peace Corps and is not meant to reflect Peace Corps views
