Preparation for my trip to Ukraine was certainly a harbinger of an exciting time.

Visas arrived in the mail only a few days before the team’s scheduled departure. Transportation to the airport was still uncertain 24 hours prior to our scheduled departure. Finally, one of the team members nearly missed the flight because an error in purchasing tickets eluded our attention until we began checking in our luggage. With all this excitement, how could one expect anything less than an exhilarating and challenging experience in Ukraine?

Six other volunteers and I had the privilege of spending two weeks in Ukraine. Our primary goal was to teach conversational English to university students at the Language Institute in Kiev. However, we accomplished much more than simply teaching English; we also established friendships with the Ukrainians.

My team and I were responsible for designing and carrying out a curriculum that would enhance students’ conversational skills. We employed games, skits, small group discussions, music and one-on-one conversation to help students practice speaking as well as listening to English. In addition to creating our own curriculum, we assisted the English teachers at the institute by going to their classes and leading small group discussions. Although we taught three days per week at the institute, the time spent in the classroom was merely a fraction of the teaching and learning experience for both teachers and students.

Teachers must be willing to learn as well as teach, and the team of Americans was certainly willing to experience as well as learn about a different culture. We enjoyed the cultural immersion afforded us by the hospitality of our host students. While living in the flats and homes of the students, we were introduced to many facets of the Ukrainian culture, such as cuisine, customs and language.

The most memorable activity was the train ride to Odessa. The Americans and Ukrainians spent a great deal of time interacting with one another. We taught each other different card games, and furthered our working vocabularies by practicing the names of the cards in different languages. Singing was another popular activity, with Americans and Ukrainians exchanging songs. While in Odessa, we split into small groups and toured the city; the group I traveled with went to several art museums. Being blind, I could not fully appreciate the exhibits in the museums. However, recognizing another opportunity to help a student with his English, I toured the museums with a Ukrainian student who described the various exhibits. The trip was so filled with activity that the only thing we did not do was sleep.

My short stay in Ukraine is one I will remember for life. The team and I were faced with the challenges of teaching with minimal experience and communicating with very little knowledge of either Russian or Ukrainian. However, armed with open minds and a desire to teach, we overcame these barriers and very much enjoyed our experiences. As for myself, being blind never really factored into the equation. Equipped with an electronic note taker, a slate and stylus, my cane, and, most important, an open heart for the people of Ukraine, I taught English alongside my colleagues.

My team and I traveled to Ukraine in order to teach English to university students. However, we learned as well. We returned to the United States with a better understanding of the Ukrainian culture, and, best of all, the knowledge that we had made friends in Ukraine. The team had an enjoyable experience because we were equipped with two important tools, open minds and hearts.