The 2013 UAYA Exchange Program with Ukraine

By Khrystia Bihun

This year again as in the last four years, a group of three college students participated in an innovative exchange program of the Ukrainian American Youth Assn. (CYM) –between CYM’s sister organizations in the United States and in Ukraine. The program brings about the exchange of ideas, best practices and life experiences between the counselors and junior counselors of the two countries. Perhaps more importantly, it is helping to develop lines of communications, collegial relationships and enduring friendships between developing leaders of our youth organization in two very different countries; it foster the realization that although we are different, we have a strong common bond that unites us.

This year CYM’s National Executive started its search for prospective exchange candidates in December of 2012. This year’s participants coincidentally all were nominated by the Philadelphia CYM branch. They were Andriy Demianicz, Natalia Midzak, and Olya Bohun who traveled to attend summer camps in Ukraine.

Additionally this year, Ukraina sent two young vporyadnyky both age 16, Marianna Fisunova from Telmanoviy oseredok in the Donetsk region, Nazar Myta from Lviv and a senior counselor, their chaperone Neyla Lavrenenko as part of the exchange program. The Ukrainian contingent participated in our counselor in training camp (vyshkilniy tabir) in Ellenville NY and at the end of the camp they along with their American counterparts flew to Ukraine. The first few days in Ukraine were spent touring the old western city of Lviv. Following the respite in Lviv all the participants of the program arrived in the village of Rudno, on the outskirts of Lviv where they attended vyshkilniy tabir which was used as a staging platform for the next camp. The camp they prepared for was the all Ukrainian sumivski camp for children ages 6 to 17. The Americans and their Ukrainian counterparts participated as counselors and counselors in training at the Ukrainian summer CYM camps. The work was a 24/7 times 2 imersion in Ukrainian camp life. The following are the impressions and memories of the American participants.

Olha Bohun – Philadelphia

The camp exchange program was a pleasant, learning and fun experience for me. I met my peers (counselors in training vporjadnuku) and instructors from Ukraine, Estonia, France, Germany and Poland. The counselor in training camp (vyshkilniy tabir) “ gave us a chance to get to know each other , taught us how to communicate and how to work together. This was a great opportunity to prepare me for the children of the next camp “On wings of Song” (Krula Pisen). I leaned new ideas that I can implement in our camps here in the U.S. and in my oseredok in Philadelphia. For example, there was the camp mail “Taborova Poshta” which was a great way to build a team and to show appreciation to your fellow campers. Each evening there was a wonderful program that served two purposes, one to get to know one another and for entertainment. We had “An Evening of Estonia”, an “Evening of Ukraine” and an “Evening of America” where each country had to make a presentation about their country and do sampling of native food.

During the the childrens’ camp I was responsible for the youngest girls age 7-9 my senior counselor was Lida Zhutnia, a sumivka from Estonia. I think we were a good team. I enjoy working with little kids they were so sweet, energetic, and amusing. They were no different from my group in Philadelphia. The camp program centered around traditional Ukrainian crafts and so the girls enjoyed – “Vushuvanka”, and “Keramika” as part of their daily program. Everyone loved the evening program a vechirka “International vohnuk” where young boys and girls played different games and we introduced them to the American smores. There was a trip into the nearby Ukrainian forest “Prohulka” where I discovered almost an immaculate forest floor… did someone vacuum here? I really enjoyed the exchange program, meeting and working with sumivtsi from other countries changed me in a positive way personally and professionally, and left me with wonderful memories. I want to say “Thank you to the Obminnuy Komitet” for giving me this opportunity.

Andriy Demianicz – Philadelphia 21 year old Graduate Student, Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ studying Microbiology.

When I first heard about the Obmin program a few years ago I was unsure of whether or not I wanted to participate in it, but now I advise all that have the opportunity to take it. It is a wonderful opportunity to not only visit the motherland, our cultural heritage but to also witness how Ukrainian camps function and run in a different country. At first I thought that the camps would run similarly to those that we have here at Ellenville, NY. But, as I soon witness they are similar in thought but run different in practice but not for the worst.

After we arrived at Lviv International Airport, and spent a few day touring and soaking in the feel and atmosphere of the city. After those few days in the city we then headed off to the village of Rydno, where we would spend the next few weeks at an old Catholic seminary where camp was held. At first glance the location is different from what I was use to, but was easy to get used to and life was not much different besides the meals. The first week of camp was spent preparing for the following camp as well as learning how to be a better leader, person and counselor for the kids. Although I have been in the position of counselor before this is a first in a different country and where English was very little help. Luckily enough the theme for camp was UAYA fundamentals and basic understanding of what the organization was so planning and preparing the lessons was not difficult and even if I did not know something or forgot something the people there were very helpful and helped me with anything that I did not know.

The second and third week is when all the children from all over Ukraine, Estonia, France, Germany and even one from America came to the camp to have a fun and adventurous time during these two weeks. Every day the kids would participate with one lesson with their counselor, one lesson of catechism and one lesson of arts and craft. In the afternoon they would participate in spiv, sports and practical portion of arts and craft. Every night we ended the day with an evening program that varied each day which entertained as well as taught everyone a little bit more about one another. Although camp life was ery demanding it was not very different than here in America. The time flew by like in any camp, it was so memorable and I wish could still be there. Looking back, I am glad that I applied to the Obmin program because it was such a great experience traveling to Ukraine, working at the camp, and meeting many new people all of which I will never forget.

Natalia Midzak – Philadelphia, 18 a student to Millersville University where she studies meteorology.

For the past fifteen years of my life I have spent almost every Saturday during the academic year in Ukrainian Heritage School and Ukrainian American Youth Association meetings. Although I never complained much, this was not my ideal weekend. Sitting through lessons of history, culture, geography and literature never excited me, but these classes planted seeds of patriotism and pride which developed until I graduated in the spring of 2012 and which continue to grow each day. Throughout my time in these environments, I learned in the abstract. Pictures and dates were presented, but I had never visited Ukraine so everything remained in my imagination. This changed, however, when the opportunity to visit Ukraina presented itself to me.

I completed an application summarizing my time in the Ukrainian American Youth Association and filled out information about my level of competence with the Ukrainian Language and my Ukrainian School history. After this was submitted I received an email from the “Obmin” committee informing me of the process to select candidates and requiring me to hold a phone interview with the committee. Completing two rounds of interviews I then received a final email of congratulations for my accomplishment. My abstract knowledge of Ukraine was to soon turn concrete in Lviv. I found my passport, purchased new luggage, ironed my CYM uniform and was on my way to the airport. Leaving from JFK on July 17 I never imagined how much fun I could have while immersing myself in a new culture across the Ocean.

Upon my arrival in Lviv I was exhausted. Sitting through a longer than expected layover and being shuttled to a small plane on an overcrowded bus did nothing to alleviate my anxiety of flying, but finally landing brought a sense of relief. I was soon introduced to business in Lviv, losing an apartment that did not withstand a verbal agreement. Once I was “home” though, I had time to realize where I was. The faraway land of my grandparents was no longer only in my heart, but it was right under my toes as well. I quickly fell in love with the cobblestoned streets of the city, and all too quickly I was moving to the village of Rydno, my new home for the next three weeks. Arriving at the old seminary, my home for the next three weeks, I was weary. The comforts of home were missing, but the warm smiles and greeting from the seminarians reminded me that I am home when I hear the language of my family.

Camp came and passed within seemingly seconds. I learned that language barriers are torn down with hugs, children still love the same games I played as I child, and the gift of a Ukrainian song is enough of a force to unite a hundred peoples’ hearts. While I missed my own family at times, I knew I was safe and loved with my CYM family, an always expanding unit. Before leaving social media was stressed, allowing me to stay in contact with my new friends and role models. I know that no matter how far away I am from them, their work is influencing the way I see this organization in the United States and it is inspiring me to work harder to provide examples of success for them to follow as well. This summer forced me out of my comfort zone and subsequently forced me to grow. I have never possessed more pride for my organization or culture. Although I am not quite an American in America or a Ukrainian in Ukraine, I am a grateful symivka all over the world.

If you are interested in becoming a participant of this program check the web site for upcoming information in late November.