Hello,
Today was our second major CAD, an event dedicated to cleaning the forest on the opposite side of Nittisean and the powerplant. This area, called the 'damba', is laidened with garbage from an entourage of Ukrainians who spend the warm months picnicking by the water's edge. After a warm evening spent by the fire at the Damba, our group decided during later planning that cleaning would be an appropriate project for an "eco-Leadership/Sustainability focused group".
Well, it rained all day. We found many pounds of garbage. We had a lot of time to think and let our minds wander. But we stopped early - unfortunately. A couple of us continued for a bit, but our day was cut short.
Later that afternoon we met to plan our next CAD. Instead, we spent the majority of our afternoon discussing the concept of group trust. It made me so thankful for the leadership given at Naramata. At the time, I was thinking that sometimes it's better for people to make you do check-ins and debriefing and let you learn why later on instead of the other way around, but that's a confusing conversation.
Around six we had the opportunity to greet the prime minister of Ukraine into the Ostroh Academy. She's quite the woman and well supported in western Ukraine. She wears her hair in a braided wringlet around her head. It was a pretty huge event for the Ukrainians, especially Svitlana, which made waiting in the rain for an hour more enjoyable. I guess it doesn't matter where you are in the world, a good politician has to be late.
This evening I got into quite the chat with Svitlana about group dynamics, personalities, communities, cultures, and life both little and small. It got me looking at evolution in a whole new context.
All in all, it was a rad rainy day. It made me think about this experience in so many ways. And help me to realize the opportunity we have is so unique. We are getting to see Ukrainian culture in a way that's just one step closure to the people who live their. We aren't just crazy tourists who visit the castle. We get to eat like Kings and Queens with Ukrainian families. All in all, a rad day.
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I will be here from January to March
This will be my location for the first half of my Canada World Youth Exchange
From September until March I will be a part of a Canada World Youth volunteer exchange. In September, I’ll spend 3 months in Ostroh, Ukraine, along with other young people from both countries. During this time, I’ll live with a local family and be involved in a community-oriented work project. In December, my group will depart for Port Alberni, BC for a similar 3 month period. The adventure, exploration, and personal growth are aspects I hope to share through this blog! Thanks for your support!
Port Alberni, BC
I will be here from January to March
Ostroh Ukraine
This will be my location for the first half of my Canada World Youth Exchange
Exchange country partner organization: National University of Ostroh Academy
The first half of my exchange will be in the small town of Ostroh Ukraine, where I will be partnered with individuals from the National University of Ostroh Acedemy. Here's some more information:
The National University of Ostroh Academy (NUOA) was originally founded in 1576 in Ostroh, Ukraine. NUOA is a new type of higher educational institution that focuses on training highly qualified specialists in the fields of history, culture, foreign languages, economics and law. The National University of Ostroh Academy is a member of the international level of higher learning institutions specializing in Liberal Arts. The students of the academy have the right to choose their electives that make up thirty percent of their curriculum. Due to its unique approach to learning the National University of Ostroh Academy attracts lecturers from throughout Ukraine and abroad.
Every year international conferences focused on science, history, etc. are hosted at the Academy. Students and professors of the National University of Ostroh Academy have many possibilities to work and study abroad. Highly qualified staff work at the academy; sixty percent are candidates for Doctorates in science, thirty percent are postgraduate students. The academy has its own post-graduate courses as well.
The National University of Ostroh Academy is responsible for the recruitment, selection, training, supervision and support for both field staff and participants involved in the youth exchange program.
CWY is in its 13th year of partnership with NUOA.
Every year international conferences focused on science, history, etc. are hosted at the Academy. Students and professors of the National University of Ostroh Academy have many possibilities to work and study abroad. Highly qualified staff work at the academy; sixty percent are candidates for Doctorates in science, thirty percent are postgraduate students. The academy has its own post-graduate courses as well.
The National University of Ostroh Academy is responsible for the recruitment, selection, training, supervision and support for both field staff and participants involved in the youth exchange program.
CWY is in its 13th year of partnership with NUOA.
www.uosa.uar.net/en
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About Me
- Ellen Hunter Perkins
- Victoria, BC, Canada
- I guess you could say I'm a busy little bugger. My life is something I love and can't understand - it's grande. I grew up in Victoria BC, and am known by friends and family as an adventurer with a passion for the mountains and the sea. I love music, being in nature - by bike, skies, kayak, foot. I love community grass-root organizing, learning about the wonders of how our minds, bodies, and things work and working with children and youth. I've just completed my first year at Carleton University in Ottawa Ontario, Canada. The majority of my time there was spent engrossed in Sciences, but the rest was outdoors in the snow on skies or running. The people in my life were my Ottawa family, my right hand-Geoff, my buds from Naramata and the rad individuals of EWB. I learned a great deal, but I'm sure that I will not return there in the future to complete my studies - I miss the mountains too much! Until my CWY exchange, I am working with SolarBC, CBUC children and youth, the Reckless Bike Store crew, and many folks at events with Level Ground Trading Fair Trade Coffee company. I also spend a great deal of time on my bike, with goons listening or playing music/swimming in the sea.
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