FAQ
First of all: Read carefully and thoroughly the Teacher’s Handbook!
How do I get there?
LOT Polish Airlines (www.lot.com) provides airline service directly into Lviv from Chicago, New York, and other major western cities. Flights from Chicago average around $1400 and from New York around $1200. Lufthansa (from Frankfurt) and Austrian Air (from Vienna) also provide flights to Lviv several times a week. Other deals may be found on budget sites such as onetravel.com and expedia.com. It is important to book early for the best deals. You may also fly into Krakow or Warsaw in Poland (available on Easy Jet for those traveling within the EU) or Kiev and then travel to Lviv via train or bus. These flights will likely be cheaper than flying directly into Lviv. See the sites below for train information.
* N.B. For those inexperienced in Eastern European travel and without any knowledge of Ukrainian, Russian, or Polish, it is advisable to fly directly into Lviv.
* N.B. On plane and train schedules, Lviv is commonly written as Lvov, the old Polish spelling.
Do I need a Visa to enter Ukraine?
Citizens of the United States, Canada, and the European Union do not need visas to visit Ukraine as a tourist and may remain in the country for up to ninety days. Visit the Ukrainian Consulate General website ( http://www.ukrchicago.com/index_us.html ) for further details. Please visit the website of your local Ukrainian Consulate to determine regulations if you are traveling on a passport from a different country.
Is there anywhere to travel around there?
Kiev, the capital city of Ukraine, is a popular destination for further travel, and easily accessible by overnight and express day trains from Lviv. Odessa and the Crimean Peninsula in the South are popular Black Sea coast destinations as well, although the travel times are longer. Oftentimes, after ESS students will invite you to visit their home villages or be interested in helping you in your travels around Ukraine (it is comparatively quite inexpensive for a westerner to travel in Ukraine and suitable for you to offer to pay a student’s way so they can guide you in your travels).
What should I bring?
A list of recommendations:
- Towel, washcloth (useful in case the shower isn’t working)
- Snacks, i.e., Power bars, granola bars, dried fruit, jar of peanut butter
- Small gifts for your students (not $$! ) (e.g., souvenirs from your country/local area like t-shirts, cups, candy, postcards/picture books)
- Anti-bacterial gel
- Baby powder (helpful when laundering is rare)
- Bug spray/sunscreen
- Umbrella/raincoat/poncho
- Clothes for layering – temperatures can range quite widely (50˚F – 90˚ F daytime and rarely even into the 40′s at night)
- Good walking shoes
- Nice clothes for Sunday liturgies
- Photos of your home, family, activities (customary to show guests photos and also useful with your students)
- Non electronic games
- Teaching materials (check the Teacher’s Handbook!)
What’s the weather like over there?
The weather in western Ukraine, particularly near the Carpathian Mountains, fluctuates a great deal and usually includes much precipitation. Temperatures can range quite widely, from 50˚F – 90˚ F in the daytime and, occasionally, even into the 40′s at night.
What am I expected to teach? How should I prepare?
Normally two volunteers are responsible for a class group of 7-10 students for three 50-minute sessions in the morning (devoted to Scripture study, speaking and listening skills, and vocabulary building) and a one-hour reading period in the afternoon and a second group for a 75-minute elective following reading. Moreover, volunteers are expected to simply interact with students throughout the day, especially in evenings. Academically, the most important part of the students’ assessment is participation since in that way they have the most exposure to spoken English.
Bible study – Each morning, classes read and discuss Scripture passages. This is a chance to practice pronunciation and to discuss spiritual themes. All students and teachers in a class are equipped with the same New Testament. For the ease of first-time students we use a simple Bible version which has a limited vocabulary base.
Speaking, Listening, Vocabulary building – For these classes, workbooks are provided with lessons based on semantic fields (e.g., health, transportation, environment). Some workbooks also involve idioms and phrasal verbs (e.g. get by, get on with, get over, hang on). Students are expected to keep journals of their experiences as a means of practicing writing skills. Teachers are also allowed space for personal creativity in designing academically challenging lessons for their students. Limited additional written resources are available for teacher use and teachers are encouraged to bring English-language materials which would be appropriate for student use (e.g., magazines, newspapers, photos, audio-visual materials).
Extended Reading – This class encourages students to improve their skills in reading for comprehension. Using simple texts, classes typically read loud, discussing plot and simple literary or cultural issues.
Electives – Teachers are expected to prepare two minicourses on topics of their choosing. They will teach one course each week during the Elective time-slot. These week-long classes (75 minutes each afternoon for 5 days) allow teachers and students to discuss topics using the special interests and knowledge of the volunteer teachers. Previous topics have included: Cartoons and Comic Books, American Protestantism, Gender Roles in Ukraine and the U.S., Morality and the Media, Christology, Democracy in America, Poverty in America, National Parks, Greece and the Holy Land Pilgrimages, Lives of the Saints, Marian Shrines, Philosophy and Ethics, Evangelization, and American Music (Ukrainians love music and singing). After a day of speaking in a foreign language students prefer interactive formats rather than lectures. One-page articles are useful for discussion, as well as audio or visual material.
Tutoring – From Monday to Friday between 9 pm and 10 pm the Tutoring takes place. In three twenty – minute – periods, teachers make themselves available for one-to-one-conversations with the students or offering any other kind of assistance (e.g. helping on the home assignment, etc.). Every day, lists with the available teachers in which the students can put their names are published. The teachers are invited to inform the Academic Director after the daily morning assembly if they are willing to be available for tutoring; however, those teachers who do not have an Elective class are put on the list automatically.
Volunteers will be provided with grammar/lesson books as well as with the books for the morning classes (New Testaments), but we suggest you bring your own one- or two-page items suitable for English-learners. These could be newspaper or magazine articles, sample forms from real life, worksheets, etc. Over the course of the three weeks of classes you will want to vary the rhythm of the classes (class sessions usually last 90 minutes) and there will be moments when you have unstructured time. These extra materials will help you do this. Also, there may be certain evenings for students to read magazines or similar materials. In general, it is best to bring materials of low to intermediate language-level.
How much money should I bring? What’s the exchange rate?
The Ukrainian currency is the hryvnia and currently the rate from USD to hryvnia is about 1:7. Updated rates and exchange rates for other currencies may be found online or by contacting your local financial institution. You will NOT need much cash – $300 should be more than enough. A meal at the finer local restaurants in Lviv costs about $20, including wine and dessert and all of your meals are provided for during the orientation and school anyways.
*Note on ATM/debit cards: Cash machines can be an easy and effective way to get cash when you need it abroad. However, especially in Eastern Europe, they are also a haven for identity theft. Talk to your bank before you travel. They may want you to fill out a form indicating when and where you will be traveling so they can be alert for fraud.
Do I need any immunizations before I come?
There are no required immunizations for travelers to Ukraine, however you may visit the website of the Centers for Disease Control ( http://www.cdc.gov/travel/easteurp.htm ) or talk to your local health provider for recommendations. Many volunteers choose to update their tetanus, hepatitis, and typhoid protection before traveling.
What level are the students?
Most students will have had one year of English grammar classes. A few students may have had two years of English classes. Some students will be more advanced. Many of the students will be overwhelmed at first by the “English immersion” environment and will need your patience and conscientious efforts to work with them.
Will there be a VCR and TV available at the school?
Yes, there should be a VCR and a TV monitor available, but logistical constraints mean these are best used in the evenings or weekends. If you bring videotapes, the best items would be short tapes or television shows (even commercials can be interesting, and they are short!). The UCU has a fair number of full-length American movies and we may show these on weekends. Please submit in advance a list of all programming you wish to bring so that they may be pre-approved by the Summer School staff.
Where will we stay in Lviv?
During the tree-day orientation program, the volunteers normally stay at the Seminary or at the UCU guest house in Lviv.
What are the rooms like at ESS?
The rooms are shared rooms, with normally two or three teachers to a room. Usually simple with beds.
What do we do in the evenings?
In the evenings there is a mixture of group activities, spiritual programs, evening tutoring (see the section “Evening tutoring” above and in the Teacher’s Handbook), sports and study. This year we are in particular need of people to organize these evening activities, so please come with ideas and any materials you have for fun group activities and board or languague games. Also, please let us know if you are willing to help plan these activities in advance of the school.
How can we be contacted in case of an emergency?
The summer school will be at a “resort.” It would not pass inspection standards for health or safety in America but it is nice by Ukrainian standards. It will not be easy for anyone to reach you at the camp directly. It is best to give the following numbers (as you would dial from the US):
- Rectorate at the UCU: 011-380-322-40-99-44
- In case of emergencies: Oleh Behen, ESS Administrative Manager: (from U.S.) (011)-380-506-900-214
How will I be able to contact my family back home?
There are Internet cafes available in Lviv, but in general you should plan to spend your time in Ukraine free from “Western distractions.” It will be difficult if not impossible to make international telephone calls from camp, and there is no Internet access there.
What about dealing with Ukrainian Customs agents when I arrive in Ukraine? Can I bring valuables into Ukraine?
Unfortunately, some travelers to Ukraine have had problems dealing with lost luggage and corrupt customs agents in the past. In general, we advise you not to bring valuables into Ukraine. We urge you not to bring valuable jewelry or a lot of money with you. You will not need and won’t be able to use much of that stuff. Be certain to declare whatever jewelry and cash you have with you when you enter Ukraine, so that you can leave with it. When you leave Ukraine, there is a limit on how much Ukrainian currency you can take with you (the limit used to be the equivalent of about $10), so don’t change a lot of your foreign currency into local currency unless you are certain that you will spend it.
What about medical care? Should I buy the Ukrainian health insurance that is sold at the border?
Should care be necessary beyond first aid, doctors and clinics are available in Lviv. However, for anything very serious it is better to leave Ukraine and go to Western Europe where medical care is more reliable.
The Ukrainian government requires foreigners to buy health insurance at the border so that they are not a burden on the free Ukrainian health care system. Frankly, some people regard this as a revenue-raising scheme because health care in Ukraine must usually be paid for anyways. We are prohibited from officially recommending that people don’t buy Ukrainian health insurance at the border, but many foreigners do not buy Ukrainian health insurance because they believe it would have very limited value. You can do this if you state that you are covered by your health insurance policy in the USA. You are responsible for your own health care in Ukraine. We recommend that everyone has health insurance in their home country.
Important Contact Information
Ukrainian Catholic University (formerly known as the Lviv Theological Academy)
Address:
Svientsitskoho Street, building 17
In Ukrainian: Вулиця Свєнціцького, 17
Telephone number for the university’s switchboard (from the USA):
011-380-322-40-99-44
Ask for Oleh Behen
Cell phone, Oleh Behen , ESS Administrative Manager: (from U.S.) (011)-380-506-900-214
Contact information for the US Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine:
Phone numbers:
+38 044-244-73-49 (9-6, M-F)
+38 044-216-38-05 (emergency/after hours number)
Address: Pymonenko, 6
Being Met Upon Arrival
It is especially critical for us to be able to meet you upon your arrival! Please let us know if your plans change! In case you miss your connection or you arrive at a time no one is expecting you, the best thing for you to do after having phoned to one of the above listed phone numbers (make sure that you carry them with you!) is to make your way to the Ukrainian Catholic University (formerly known as the Lviv Theological Academy). There is someone at the University 24 hours a day, and although they don’t speak English they will be expecting such guests.
Get a taxi and show the driver the UCU/LTA address in Ukrainian. (A taxi should charge no more than 50 hryvnias from the airport or the trainstation.) There is always a custodian/security person in the UCU building. They have a phone. They will be instructed on what to do when they see people that speak English and have many bags (i.e., they will call one of the staff members).
Sign to show the taxi driver if disaster strikes and you are not met by someone from the UCU (keep it with you on your journey!):
Український Католицький Університет, Вул. Свєнціцького, 17
(Please, drive me to the Ukrainian Catholic University, Svientsitskoho Street, 17)
Sign to show to the Building attendant on duty at the UCU:
Доброго дня, мені потрібно розмовляти з Олегом Бегеном
(Hi, I’d like to talk to Oleh Behen)
Ukrainian Survival Crash Course
The Ukrainian Alphabet (with comparable English sounds)
| А, а ‘ a’ in father
Б, б B b В, в V v Г, г H h Ґ, ґ ´ ‘g’ in gate Д, д D d Е, е ‘a’ in bat Є, є ‘ye’ in yet Ж, ж ‘s’ in pleasure З, з Z z И, и ‘i’ in bit І, і ‘ee’ in bee Ї, ї ‘ye’ in year Й, й ‘y’ in boy К, к K k Л, л L l М. м M m Н, н N n |
О, о ‘o’ in moth
П, п P p Р, р R r С, с S s Т, т T t У, у ‘oo’ in boot Ф, ф F f Х, х ‘ch’ in Scottish loch Ц, ц ‘ts’ in nuts Ч, ч ch Ш, ш sh Щ, щ shch Ю, ю ‘you’ Я, я ‘ya’ in royal ь (used to soften consonants) |
The Ukrainian language is phonetic, i.e., words are pronounced exactly as they are written or printed. English uses letters from Latin, while the Ukrainian alphabet, one of several forms of Cyrillic, has its roots from the Greek alphabet. Russian and Ukrainian alphabets are very similar. They differ by a few letters. Consonants are pronounced similarly to Spanish or Italian. (roll the ‘r’, etc)
Ukrainian – Transliteration – Translation
(‘y’ is used as ‘i’ in bit)
Добрий День! (Dobry den) Good afternoon!
Привіт! (Pryvit) Hello!
Слава Ісусу Христу! (Slava Eesusu Khrystu) Glory to Jesus Christ! (This is a common greeting for religious people)
Слава на віки! (Slava na Veeky) Glory forever! (it’s the reply)
Мене звати … (mene zvaty…) My name is…
Дякую! (diakuyou) Thank you!
Перепрошую (pereproshuyou) Excuse me.
Я не розмовляю по-українськи. (Ya ne rozmovljaju po-ukrayinsky) I don’t speak Ukrainian.
Чи Ви говорите по англійськи? (Chy hovoryte po-anhliysky?) Do you speak English?
Я вчитель англійської мови. (Ya uchytel anhliyskoyi movy.) I’m a teacher of English.
Pronouns:
Я (ya) I
Ти (ty) you (informal-for close friends)
Ви (vy) you (formal–for elders and as sign of respect)
Він (veen) he
Вона (vona) she
Вони (vony) they
Ми (my) we (the ‘y’ is like ‘i’ in bit)
Ukrainian – Transliteration – Translation
(‘y’ is used as ‘i’ in bit)
Україна (Ookrayena) Ukraine
Америка (Ameryka) America
Я американець (Ya amerykanets) I’m an American (male)
Я американка (Ya amerykanka) I’m an American (female)
Де аеропорт ? (De aeroport?) Where is the airport?
Де вокзал ? (De vokzal?) Where is the train station?
Гривня (hryvnia) (Ukrainian currency)
Копійка (kopeeka) kopek
(1 US$ = 5.4 hryvnias)
(100 kopeks = 1 hryvnia)
Долар (dolar) dollar
Basic numbers
0 нуль (nool)
1 один (odyn)
2 два (dva)
3 три (try)
4 чотири (chotyry)
5 п ‘ ять (piat)
6 шість (shist)
7 сім (sim)
8 вісім (visim)
9 девять (devjat)
10 десять (desjat)
