The Ambassador

In addition to the Fulbright conference and orientation activities, Fulbrighters were invited to a reception at the Ambassador's residence. Ambassador Bill Taylor was appointed by President Bush in 2006. He has experience in Iraq, Afghanistan, the former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe and was on the staff of Senator Bill Bradley. He served in Vietnam and Germany, and he's a graduate of West Point and Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. When there is an opening as his press agent, I may apply.

Fulbright orientation and conference

The Fulbright Office in Kyiv organized an orientation for us including a bus tour of the city, a lecture at an archaeological site of an 11th century church, a security/safety briefing, and panels on Ukrainian politics and the educational system of Ukraine. They also arranged a conference on "Ethical Standards in Education and Scholarship," which was attended by current and former Fulbright scholars from Ukraine to US. They hosted several receptions where we could get to know one another, and as a result, a number of Fulbrighters, myself included, received invitations to lecture at other universities around the country. The Fulbrighters from Ukraine who have been to the US speak English very well. Most of the conference was held in Ukrainian, and so they provided some of us with translators. Mine happened to be very good, a young man who is studying at the Foreign Language Institute in Kyiv.

City Views - Незалежності

Valentina and I are posing at the pedestrian boulevard Nezalezhnosti, one of the squares in the city center. Valentina is a former Fulbrighter from Ukraine (to the University of Georgia) who came to visit me in I-F. She teaches in Kyiv at the Agricultural University, specializing in sustainable economic development. We spent a lot of time touring the city - her first time here though she is from Ternopil, a few hours away- and talking about her participation in the Orange Revolution.

City views - Chornovola Street

A view from the corner at Chornovola Street. The marshrutka bus system (from French 'marche' + 'route') costs 1 hryvna (twenty cents). Locals complain of growing traffic congestion in the city, especially in the 'ring road.' As in other European cities there are more private cars, narrow streets and little parking. I only use the buses when the weather is bad. Otherwise it's fifteen minutes from where I live to the city center. I turn left at this corner and it's another ten minutes to the university.

City views - Надія

The Hotel надія (Nadiya) on the main street Незaлежності (Nezalezhnosti, "Independence"). The largest, arguably best hotel in the city, where foreign tourists mainly from Western Europe, often stay. I spent one night and used their 'expensive' internet business center until I got settled elsewhere. It has been renovated in sections; some of it is modern and comfortable, parts of it are still soviet, with prices reflecting the difference, 24 or 50 dollars per night. A nice buffet breakfast is included.

City views

The band who greeted me! Actually this school group from Belarus was in I-F for Ukrainian Independence Day August 25 and played by the statue of Ivan Franko in honor of his birthday August 27, coincidentally my first day in I-F. The city was formerly called Stanislawiw, renamed in 1962 for the poet, writer, social and literary critic, journalist, economist, and political activist Ivan Franko (1856-1916). Behind the students and out of view is the Hotel Надія (Nadiya), formerly named the Hotel Ukraina (and some people still call it that) but they decided when the statue was placed there that Ivan Franko would never turn his back on Ukraine, hence the hotel was renamed. Visible in the background is the city's theatre complex.

Fourth year advanced writing class

Fourth year advanced writing class. The department has given me the best students. This is one of the top sub-groups of fourth-year students, a pleasure to teach. The majority of students who major in English are young women. In all of my four classes, there are three young men. The level of English for all of these students is quite high. They have had no difficulty understanding me and they have made an effort at reading and writing the rather challenging material I have prepared for them. I have seen a good deal of improvement in their ability to write and speak.