Looking back to when I first arrived in Ukraine 18 months ago, I had no idea what I was getting into and it was hard to adjust in the beginning. Peace Corps is a volunteer program so we got two months of technical and language training. We were taught everything we needed so we could succeed during our two-year volunteer service here. Every day, we had Ukrainian lessons, teaching lessons (how to teach English) and community lessons (like manners, Ukrainian traditions and how to stay safe). I also lived with a host family for two months which helped me adjust to life here and showed me what real Ukrainian life is like. I loved living with them!
Sometimes, I miss my family and friends, but luckily we use FaceTime a lot, and they have sent me cards and packages all the way from the U.S. I also write in my journal to help me cope with living far away from them. I even got to visit New York for my birthday last summer!
After training ended, I moved to my permanent town which is called Radomyshl. It is in northern Ukraine, not too far from the capital of Kiev. After 18 months of being in Ukraine, I think that I've integrated pretty well. Since getting a puppy, people always stop me on the street when I'm walking with him.
