Protests in Kiev Ukraine

Peace Corps Ukraine

The Hardest Job You'll Ever Love

Peace Corps Ukraine
True Ukrainian assimilation
Peace Corps Ukraine
Lots of vodka
Protests in Kiev Ukraine
A protester in Kiev, Ukraine. 2011.
Winter in Ukraine photography
Winter in Ukraine

Peace Corps Ukraine

The Peace Corps motto is true: Peace Corps Ukraine was the hardest thing I've ever done, but worth every moment. I had the most fulfilling, life-changing and personal growth experiences, but also have never felt more lonely, depressed and bored.

I spent two years as the only foreigner in Turbiv, a small village in Ukraine. I was a Youth Development volunteer and spent my time at the local school. I ran some after school clubs for yoga, art and English, wrote a few grants for HIV awareness and education, and to start a journalism club. I practiced with the girl's soccer team and did evening workouts with the ladies of the village.

When I wasn't hanging with my two best friends in the village - Rostik, age 7, and Tanya, age 9, I spent most of my time alone in my apartment. It was an incredible time, an unforgettable time, and one that changed me forever.

Photos

Peace Corps Ukraine
Tanya & Rostik
Peace Corps Ukraine photography
Best seat in the house. Turbiv, Ukraine
Koktebel Jazz Festival
Grooves. Koktebel Jazz Fest, Crimea, Ukraine
Mother Ukraine, Kiev
Just some tanks and a giant Mother Ukraine
Crimea
My travel companions - teachers, principal, spouses and some randoms
Koktebel Jazz Festival
Buds at the Koktebel Jazz Festival
Mount Hoverla Ukraine
Climbing Mt. Hoverla, the tallest mountain in Ukraine
Fox Bay. Crimea, Ukraine
Camping at Fox Bay. Crimea, Ukraine
Easter in Ukraine
Easter in Ukraine
Peace Corps Ukraine
Pig slaughtering in a small Ukrainian village
First day of School in Ukraine
One 1st grader sits on a 12th grader's shoulders and rings a bell indicating the beginning of the school year
Peace Corps Ukraine
Peace Corps volunteers vs. High School Ukrainian boys basketball game
Village Church, Kolychivka, Ukraine
Blue church. Kolychivka, Ukraine
Ukraine
You can walk around, touch and climb on the tanks and canons
Ukraine military ship
On the military ship as my Ukrainian alter ego Ksenya
Crimea Ukraine
The guys playing cards
Protests in Kiev Ukraine
Protests in Kiev Ukraine
Peace Corps Ukraine
Patience. Turbiv, Ukraine
Koktebel Jazz Festival
Learning how to play the clarinet at the Koktebel Jazz Fest in Ukraine
Koktebel Jazz Festival
Crimea, Ukraine
Fox Bay. Crimea, Ukraine
Fox Bay. Crimea, Ukraine