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 I
taught American City Government at the Kharkiv State Academy of
Municipal Economy in Kharkiv, Ukraine. There were 26 students
in my class. I found them to be bright and intellectually curious,
though shy at first. For some, I was the first American they had
ever met. Once the students relaxed, class discussions became
very animated and students did not feel shy about expressing their
opinions and observations about the United States and Ukraine.
After the events of September 11, 2001, the students expressed
their feelings as to the whys and wherefores of the occurrence.
Many faculty members made a point to express their sorrow abut
the carnage. In fact, I learned about 9/11 from a frantic call
I received from a faculty member telling me to turn on the TV
news, as something terrible had happened.
On Halloween, I supplied the class with candy. Although this
is not a holiday celebrated in Ukraine, one of the students came
to class with a pumpkin carved at home the night before. A candle
was lit and the lights were turned off to show the Jack O' Lantern.
 Students
had many questions about life in the United States and American
culture. I learned a great deal about the feelings Ukrainians
had about the United States and its policies during my semester
from discussions with faculty and students as well as my interactions
with people in grocery stores and restaurants.
Things that I took for granted (such as potable drinking water
from the tap at home and hot water for bathing) made me intensely
aware of the high quality of life Americans enjoy and the need
for massive infrastructure improvements in Ukraine. I made friends
that I am in contact with regularly through this program.
I found my Fulbright experience both personally and professionally
rewarding. I learned a great deal about life under the Soviet
system and the impact of the collapse of the Soviet Union on the
average Ukrainian. I feel a greater closeness to what happens
to the Ukraine and its people and a keen awareness of the importance
of democratic reforms in that country. In addition, I have joined
the Fulbright Association and look forward to an ongoing relationship
with the program.
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