Seven Months...PCV's and HCN's...

A PCV, Pete Isaac, asked for some input regarding a project he is currently working on. As I wrote my responses to his questions I realized that this would make a great blog post.  Some things have been omitted to protect the innocent.

What I am looking for is a small reflection on your experience so far. Not necessarily a summary of what you are doing, but what things you really feel you were really prepared for, things you view as a complete waste of time, and most importantly (in my opinion) what improvements you would make on the transition process (trainee to volunteer)? The reflection piece focusing more on your first seven months in Ukraine:

What are the things you feel you have been able to accomplish? Why? How?

Sometimes I feel as though my community integration was extra ordinary for the norm with PCV’s.  I meet three guys ‘my boys’ who would become my closest Ukrainian friends on my first day here.  I have ten volunteers within a 45 minutes bus ride from me.  I have at least five translators on speed dial if I need them.  I have 24 Host Country National’s (HCN) from Lugansk on my email contacts list. I have both HCN and PCV girls to do a girls night with.  I host a large gathering at my house at least once a month, as many as 23 and as small as 5, always a mix of PCV’s and HCN’s.  Next goal: a hundred people on my vKontakte account (Facebook for Russians and Ukrainians), currently at fifty-seven.

And I honestly have no idea how this happened.  It could be a perfect combination of my personality and the same of others.  It could be that I was in desperate need of help due to a crashed hard drive when I arrived and ‘my boys’ happily stepped up.  My life would be so different without my boys, a well established English Club and all the PCV’s around me.

What are the things you are completely lost on?

I am completely lost in regards to water cooler talk.  The good side is that I am not really included in the gossip.  The bad side is that I usually have no idea what is going on.  It has become quite comical.  I am straight up 8A-5P, M-F volunteer, which causes me some interesting moments at this.  It has been difficult for me to wrap my head around ‘volunteer’ and a ‘40 hour work week’.

I am completely lost on Russian/Ukrainian/Soviet business practices.  I should have read a book or two regarding the subject before I came, so I could better understand the mindset.  Even the cross-cultural book that is given to PCV’s by the Peace Corps, although very helpful for life, does not do much for Community Development Volunteers who face many Russian/Ukrainian/Soviet business practices every day and are in a constant struggle against an invisible wall.

I am completely lost on the differences in varenky and pelmeni, and kotleta in the bulk foods frozen section of the grocery store.  There are so many choices.  And half the time they are posted in Ukrainian and half the time in Russian.  It is pretty funny.

Why the tiny dried and slated fish?  Enough said.  I just don’t get it.

Are you spending more time on primary or secondary projects?

Primary.  When the Peace Corps tell you that every experience is different, they are not kidding.  I have a very different situation and have been placed in the type of organization (state level) that has never had a volunteer in the past.  I am a test case according to the Peace Corps, so my situation is both closely monitored and somewhat less flexible. I think working for the Lugansk Oblast (State) administration has cured my of government work in the future.

I have taken on one secondary project, two 45 minutes presentations for a NGO.  Otherwise, besides English Club and assisting other PCV’s my secondary projects, it seems, will be few and far between.

Are there some significant issues you are having that you feel could have been/could not have been avoided?

My organization had less training with regards to Peace Corps than I did.  This made for some huge growing pains in my first 45 days at site.

For the most part, I over packed and came to Ukraine very well prepared.  I realized last night that I packed about 280lbs of ‘stuff’.  I carried 140lbs here.  I shipped myself (thanks to mom) pre-packed boxes after arriving at site, 80lbs. And my mom brought over about 60lbs of more ‘stuff’ during a visit a few weeks ago.  This has really helped with ‘issues’.  My flat is a home and 100% comfortable for me, so I have been able to relax more and more, therefore dealing with ‘issues’ with a positive mindset.

Another reason my issues seem to affect me less is that I have a great support system in Ukraine.  If I have a question, need translation help, or just need to talk I have great people to call.

Otherwise, I just wish I had more shoes.  Ukraine’s terrain is a killer on the shoes.

What would you tell a Group 43 CD trainee if you were to go to one of the Thursday Tech Training sessions (at the lyceum or over beers)?

I started using the statement ‘turn off the American brain’.  I literally, at many moments during the day, have to remind myself that what makes sense in the states will not happen here.  It is not that one or the other is right or wrong, it is just that it is completely different than what the American status quo usually is.

·        Love every minute. 

·        You live in Eastern Europe in a beautiful country that is on the brink of greatness…embrace it!!  All of it!!!

·        PCV’s are awesome, don’t be afraid to use and abuse the network of PCV’s, all are happy to help.

·        Get ready to live outside your comfort zone for the next 27 months…embrace it!!!

·        Find your closest EpiCenter and Metro…they will make you happy when nothing else works.

·        Change your Life phone plan to the 40texts/400min per day for one UAH plan…you will love it once you are at site…

·        Buy a new bed if need be.  Great sleep will be your saving grace.  There is no better place when you get your first cold.

·        Cover your ass!!  Journal, write it down, call your RM, call your PCMO…whatever it takes.

·        Vodka + Vanilla Bean = vanilla extract (after three weeks in a jar)

·        The language is brutal…oh well!!

The questions are broad and general on purpose. I am not going to get more specific than that because this participation is all voluntary and I want you to express what you feel is important. Once I receive everyone's information, I will compile it and distribute for you all to see.