How does Romny make me feel welcomed?
- madisonunderwood93
- Feb 16, 2018
- 3 min read
I've been living in Romny, Ukraine now for a little over a year. I'd be lying if I said it was always easy, even if I said it was usually easy, but it certainly has gotten easier as time has past. As a PCV, we talk about ways to make friends and to feel integrated at site, and I personally always joke that I'm not integrated and don't have any friends - but this isn't true. When I first thought of being integrated I thought of knowing everybody, everybody knowing me, having plans all the time, always being invited to people's homes. It turns out this isn't very realistic. It got me thinking back to life at home. In America, my parents and I have lived in the same house for over 13 years but I don't know everyone in our development, in fact I don't even know most of our neighbors. When I lived in State College I went to Trader Joes practically every week but I didn't know any of the employees. I lived above the same people for two years, but we rarely interacted. But I felt integrated in both Lancaster County and State College. Basically what I'm saying is I (and any PCV) can be integrated in their own way, and I personally feel integrated into my site based on the ways Romny makes me feel welcomed. I'm so glad to be placed where I am, in a town full of incredible, loving, and welcoming people - check out some of the ways they make me feel so welcomed below.
1) Student Reactions
Between trainings, vacations and an emergency trip back to the States I missed most of school in December and January. I was really excited to get back into my routine, but I was even more excited when my students ran up and hugged me, said hi with huge smiles, and even cheered when I came into their classrooms. I missed everyone while I was away and it felt nice to realize I was also missed. Sometimes I'll be walking around town and hear "Hello Madisoooooon" and I'll look up and there will be a group of kids leaning out a window waving, sometimes students I don't even know will run up to me and ask for a selfie on the street, and my favorite is when kids drag their parents over to me to introduce us.
2) Patience
It took awhile, but now most of the cashiers at my closest grocery store and the post office recognize me. They speak slowly to me so I can understand them, and also are patient when I'm trying to tell them something. Even cashiers who don't know me usually have patience with me as well. My landlady always smiles and nods when I'm speaking, though I question how much sense I'm making. And of course my co-teachers are always patient with me and willing to try out my different ideas in lessons.
3) Gifts
Many of my co-teachers have gardens and this fall after the harvest they gave me tons of food and canned goods. Both years for Christmas they gave me gifts, even though they celebrate Christmas nearly two weeks later. For teachers day and my birthday I received an insane amount of flowers and for any other holiday students are always bringing me cards, chocolates, and balloons. It's so nice to feel loved and special with gifts!
4) Attendance in my events
Whenever I have a club or event there are always students/participants interested and in attendance - which isn't always the case for a PCV. I've hosted several weekend day camps which primarily consist of lessons and it always surprises me how much interest students have (considering when I was in school you couldn't drag me back on the weekend for more lessons, let alone full days in a foreign language). This past week I hosted my first training event as part of a grant I've written and not only was there a great turn out, but all the participants truly enjoyed it.
5) General Friendliness
Most people in Romny are so friendly! I've been in stores and asked an employee what the word for something is and repeated it back to them several times trying to correct my pronunciation and they don't get annoyed, but smile. When I was out of town in December and January I obviously hadn't been to the bazaar, but when I finally showed up to my usual bazaar lady's (pictured with my mom) stand she jumped up, gave me a huge hug and told me she missed me.