Skip to content
Call Us Today! 212-533-4646 | MON-FRI 12PM - 4PM (EST)
DONATE
SUBSCRIBE
Search for:
About Us
UNWLA 100
Publications
FAQ
Annual Report 2023
Annual Report 2022
Annual Report 2021
Initiatives
Advocate
Educate
Cultivate
Care
News
Newsletters
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Join UNWLA
Become a Member
Volunteer With Us
Donate to UNWLA
Members Portal
Calendar
Shop to Support Ukraine
Search for:
Print
Print Page
Download
Download Page
Download Right Page
Open
1
2-3
4-5
6-7
8-9
10-11
12-13
14-15
16-17
18-19
20-21
22-23
24-25
26-27
28-29
30-31
32-33
34-35
36-37
38-39
40
“НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, ЛИПЕНЬ - СЕРПЕНЬ 201 3 WWW. UNWLA.ORG 19 LESSONS FROM UKRAINE: KYIV DAYS AND THE “ OASIS ” This May, my fourth trip to Ukraine revealed two unexpected truth s. In Kyiv, on May 24 th and 25 th , we were fortunate to take part in the “Kyiv Days” cele - bration, which drew youn g people from all areas of Ukraine. It did not matte r that these youth were of different nationalities, ethnicities and c ultures — their goal was to celebrate together. We had to accept the fact that there were people living in Ukraine who were and are not Ukrain - ians and that Ukraine is a multi - cultural and multi - ethnic country. The other revelation came in Lviv. Here we discovered what felt like an o asis — the Ukrainia n Catholic Uni versity ( UCU ). I visited UCU as a member of the UNWLA National Board and of the UNWLA Branch 56 (one of the top fund - raisers for UCU). My hus band, who was invited by the Executive Director of Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation, Alex ander Kuzma, accompanied me on this visit, dur ing which we were given a tour of all three university campuses. Yulia Hnativ, the Program Chair of the UCU Development Depart ment, arranged my meetings with Fr. Ihor Boyko, Dean of UCU Philosophy and Sociolo gy F a culty, Natalia Klymovska, Director of the Development Department, Olha Zarichynska, Deputy Director of the Development Department, Prof. Halyna Teslyuk, Women's Studies Lecture - ship Coor din ator, Dr. Martha Bohachevsky - Chomiak, Director of the UNWLA Women’s Studies Lectureship, and Viktor Zukovskyy, Chair of the Theology Department . We all know about the wonderful studies at UCU , the high level of education, the special professors, and the stude nts of diverse social, national an d religious backgrounds. But this “o asis ” has many other facets which we did not find to be typical for most of Ukraine: The campuses are well - kept and the buildings are new. The grass is mo w ed, landscapes maintained, and there is no trash on the grounds. The student and faculty living facilities are clean and organized. The cafeteria is modern and sanitary, with flowers on several tables. There is an unmistakable sense of respect between all residents. Students are friendly, smile, and make eye contact. The female dress code is significantly more professional and modest as compared with the L - R: Victor Zukovskyy, Chair of the Theology Department, Orysia Nazar Zinycz, Prof. Halyna Teslyuk, Women's Studies Lectureship Coordinator, and Dr. Martha Bohachevsky - Chomiak at UCU. code outside UCU. The priests took time to gre e t and welcome us. The UCU includes an Emmaus Center which supports persons with special needs. Young people with disabilities live and socialize with students — and this in a country that used to hide the disabled. In the “o asis, ” the disabled are a part of everyday life. While meeting with several department Chairs, including several men, I, a woman, was listened to and several of my ideas were considered. A final surpris e was that all scheduled meetings began on time. During my previous travels to other places in Ukraine , I did no t see this level of cleanliness, organization, friendliness , and respect for women. There was a great contrast between my visit to UCU and the time when I taught English in Sokal, when most of the men in my classes did not take my ideas or know ledge seriously. Also, during prior trips, schedules seemed to be bendable . Observing the l iving conditions and the social environment at UCU made i t clear to me — a former psychology student — that spend ing several years in this “o asis ” would inevitably have a life - changing behavioral and social influence on its residents. When one is introduced to and ex - periences higher standard s, one will want and even demand them later on . UCU is therefore much mo re than just a seat of formal education; for its residents and visitors, it opens a unique door to the West , incorporating into its campus culture some excellent Western social practices. Orysia Nazar Zi nycz
Page load link
Go to Top
1 
2-3 
4-5 
6-7 
8-9 
10-11 
12-13 
14-15 
16-17 
18-19 
20-21 
22-23 
24-25 
26-27 
28-29 
30-31 
32-33 
34-35 
36-37 
38-39 
40 
