Travel
⛰️ Excursions through time
Over two different weekend days, we explored five historic sites around Lviv — ruins, a castle and multiple churches. We're travelling from the 7th to the 20th century. Here are the highlights...
Wanno Drijfhout
War
🦸 Heroiam Slava: the Price of Dignity
The Ukrainian people did not choose this war, but they did choose to respond with dignity. For those of us at peace, especially in the West, we must ponder: how do we retain our dignity?
Language
🥲 Half-way through
After three weeks, I'm halfway through the course, so I can review my progress. I'm also saying goodbye to participants, (and teachers and tutors) who joined for only three weeks. And Monday I'll be saying hello to a new batch of participants!
Travel
🤳 Fun with friends
The language course itself offers a great many friends and excursions, but I also do fun stuff with friends not from the SOUL language course. One friend living in Lviv I've known for years and she is introducing me to her country, culture and other friends.
Social
🤝 Making friends at school
All the Ukrainians I've met are incredibly hospitable and easy to talk to. My fellow language students are just as friendly. All in all, the vibes are good — helped along by a bit of stroopwafel-diplomacy. Let me explain...
War
🚨 Studying in war
The war directly impacts Ukrainians in many ways I cannot fathom as a foreigner — I will elaborate on that in another post. The war does impact me still, though. In this post I'll elaborate what it means to study in a country at war.
Travel
🦁 The ancient city of Lviv
Lviv radiates history and culture. The city center mostly radiates liveliness and culture, whereas the cemeteries nearby invite us to learn the price to get here.
Culture
🖌️ The art of nations
In ancient Ukrainian history, a well-educated noble could entertain guests with poetry and musical accompaniment ad hoc. Poetry is particular important to the foundation of Ukraine as a nation.
Travel
🏫 The UCU campus (life)
Lviv is an old city, but it's growing and developing. This juxtaposition between old and new is visible everywhere — also at the university.
Language
👩🏫 Class begins!
Monday's placement tests would result in a division of students in groups on Tuesday. Groups had two or three students with similar skills and needs, one dedicated teacher and one dedicated practice tutor.
Language
📚 Getting ready to study
Monday was really dedicated to introducing the course, each other, the university campus, and Lviv. In this post, I'll focus on the course.
Travel
🇺🇦 A road trip from the Netherlands to Lviv
There are no planes to Lviv due to the war, so the logistics around the summer school are a bit more involved. The recommended route is to take one of the trains from Poland to Lviv. I chose to go by car on a two-day journey.