Former Peace Corps Volunteer Provides Overview of Ukrainian Life and Culture for Global Citizenship Class
Christopher Rubinate, a civil defense attorney and former Peace Corps volunteer in Ukraine, visited Head of School Julia de la Torre’s Upper School Global Citizenship class on January 9. He served in the Peace Corps from 2003-05 and was based in the Ukrainian towns of Mironivika and Dunaivtsi. Julia was a Peace Corps volunteer in neighboring Moldova, also from 2003-05.
Christopher provided an overview of Ukrainian life and culture for students, discussing culture, language, food, religion, education, gender roles, and life in Ukraine since the fall of the Soviet Union. Returned Peace Corps Volunteers are encouraged to educate others about their countries of service in an effort to foster global understanding. “[Peace Corps] was the most fulfilling thing I’ve done in my life,” he said.
Additional reflections from Christopher’s presentation:
“The Ukrainian people are very self-sufficient, used to making do,”
- Speaking about the male head of household from one of his host families, who traveled to Poland from March to October and then spent the winter ice fishing and selling his catch to support his family.
“The strength of the country are the grandmothers, known as babushkas. They’ve seen it all. They’ve done it all, and they don’t take gruff from anyone.”
- Referring to many grandmothers and older women who lived through World War II and were pillars of the community as the country suffered horrific losses during the war.
“When something belongs to everyone, it belongs to no one. While homes and personal spaces were well taken care of, common areas in towns were not well taken care of. There was also a great deal of corruption.”
- On the impact of the Communist era on life in Ukraine.
More on his Peace Corps experience:
“I was not a naturally patient person before Peace Corps, but when I returned from Ukraine I was unflappable because in Ukraine you must be patient in all walks of life. When the bus breaks down, you wait for it to be fixed. When the train is late, you deal with it.”
“There is something invaluable about immersing yourself in a culture and getting to know other people. The Peace Corps opens your eyes to other cultures.”