English lady needs help

[TRACEY]

Hi everyone,
could really do with some help on a project i am doing. I have to write an essay on the "Aspirations of the Ukrainian people" if they're is any one out there that would like to share their views on their country it would most appriciated, Many thanks Tracey.
waiting in anticipation!!!1

[andrewblow]

Welcome to Ukie.com.

I have been to Ukraine many times, but cannot really give you any objective info, but I hope someone else can. If you draw a blank, I'll give you my personal opinions and experiences - you can use my e-mail addy if you want.

Have fun,
Andrew - the English Knight

[V-G]

Originally posted by TRACEY
Hi everyone,
could really do with some help on a project i am doing. I have to write an essay on the "Aspirations of the Ukrainian people" if they're is any one out there that would like to share their views on their country it would most appriciated, Many thanks Tracey.
waiting in anticipation!!!1

I would be very happy to help you. I grew up in Ukraine. But I don't know much on the topic. I just never really thought if it. When is your essay due? We might be able to think of something till then

[TRACEY]

My Essay has to be in end of next week.
I would just like to really know what the young people of today think of their country and how it being run, and improvements do they think could be made. What they want from their Goverment may be a good angle to start with.

So i'm interested where you live now and why you left the Ukraine?
I live in a plcae called Devon it is on the South West coast of England.

look forward to hearing from you.
Tracey

[V-G]

Ok I'll tell you my story. But keep in mind this is just a one-man story .


I left Ukraine, because I was chosen by Ukrainian National Committee to be representative of Ukraine in the United World College of the Atlantic, on a full academic scholarship that included everything, even the travel cost was covered. After, the Atlantic College, I got a scholarship at Simon Fraser University (Canada) where I study now (for more info check out my web site). So the reason why I left Ukraine is really irrelevant to that of most Ukrainians and would have no value for your essay.
But, let me tell you what I have seen and heard from my friends and other people, before I left.
A lot of people did not believe in higher education (I am sure that this has not changed), no matter how good you are at anything, without connections and bribery you will have the hardest time finding a decent job. Those who go to the University see how easy it is to get good grades, just by bribing teachers (and getting the exam paper in advance, as an example). Hence there was very little ambition from what I saw. On the other hand, I sew those guys whose parents are making over $500 000 US a year, and they seem to be vary patriotic about Ukraine▓s future (personally I hate that type of people, the money they have is not clean, most likely stolen from the government at the time of uncertainty or just stolen from other people). I always felt that Ukrainians are very loyal nation, and no matter what you do to them they will just bend down and keep working. My father and sister still liver there and from what they tell me, there has not been much improvement (NOTE, there was some!). For those who managed to collect some money and want to open small business, they have to think about getting around taxes (otherwise its hard to make any profit whatsoever) and protection (from criminal organizations that control the area). Because of the above, many people fail to open new businesses and hence the economy is not growing, as it should. Banks are not functioning well either. Not many people trust banks - they are really unreliable. There was this bank called "Ukraine" (not central bank) and it went bankrupt. Unlike in Canada or any other developed country, the money was not fully paid off to the investors. Those people who had more than $500 USD can forget about their savings, they only got $100. No possibilities to borrow from financial institution - the interest rates are outrageous. In general, the situation is very BAD, most people are very poor, and they think that the only way out of the situation is to go to US, Canada, France, Germany, and UK etc. Some go and come back, regretting what they have done. It is difficult for an average Ukrainian to go to US and succeed, just because of English.

I hope that this helps a little. I have to go to lectures now. I am in a hurry and there is no structure to what I wrote, I hope you understand.

[V-G]

Good luck on your essay!!!!

[TRACEY]

Thank you V-G, Its very much appreciated.

Your reply has helped a lot and really made look at things from a different angle.
Thanks again for taking time out of your busy schedule to write so much.

A very gratefull English Lady
Tracey