Ukraine 🇺🇦

Olya, 23

Born in Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine

Came to Australia in September 2008

What is your occupation?

Currently, I’m a teacher’s aide, helping students who have autism. I also want to become a teacher at the school I’m currently working at, Aspect Varn Barnett School.

I have a passion for photography and videography and would like to make something out of it. However, I have realised that I do dedicate a lot of time and resources in order for it to be my main income.

Ideally, I want to become a full-time teacher with a side hustle as a photographer or videographer.

Why did you come to Australia?

My dad came here for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games as he was part of the supporter network for the Ukrainian boxing team. He stayed here afterwards as he fell in love with the country; he described it to us as a “different planet” compared to back home.

It did take a few years (eight years specifically) for him to facilitate all the paperwork and visas in order for my mother and me to join him, but here we are in Australia! During those eight years, he worked as a house painter and has his own company now!

What do you like about Sydney?

I like the diversity of Sydney and how there’s a sense of acceptance and celebration of different cultures here. The proximity of Sydney to beautiful nature is just amazing. I feel like it caters to different lifestyles and there’s a beauty to that. Not every city in the world can facilitate that kind of lifestyle.

Back in Ukraine, people would work every day in order to take one annual break. However, a lot of younger people nowadays prioritise their own interests and work-life balance, resembling the Western mindset in many ways.

What don’t you like about Sydney?

It’s an extremely unaffordable place for younger people. If you don’t have an inheritance of some sort, you’re going to struggle to live here. I know of friends who originally planned to purchase properties in Sydney, but have instead decided to buy and settle in places like Wollongong.

Housing prices are just through the roof here.

What would you like to say to Sydneysiders?

Stay home and save lives. This is definitely relevant now.

What languages do you speak?

Ukrainian (native), Russian (fluent) and English

We only learned Ukrainian back at school but the more east you travel in Ukraine, the more Russian speakers you will meet.

Ukrainian and Russian both use the Cyrillic alphabet but there are vowels that operate differently in each language. I guess a good analogy is that our languages are Spanish and Portuguese.

Teach us one word/phrase from your native language.

Рідна

Ridna

It means native but it's a word that also describes close and dear relationships. I would use this word to describe family or a friend with who I almost have a familial bond, such is the closeness of our relationship. Рідна is used to describe women whereas the male equivalent would be Рідний (Ridnae).

What is one thing you want us to know about your native country?

Ukraine has gone through a lot of trauma throughout its history. However, it is an extremely underrated tourist destination. It may be hard to get into but once you land, you will meet some of the most welcoming and kind people in the world. Kyiv (not Kiev as that is the Russian spelling and the spelling of the capital is actually a sensitive topic amongst Ukrainians) and Lviv are great places worth visiting, especially the latter as there is a lot of historical architecture.

The nature of the Caparthians is also a national treasure in Ukraine. People go in the summer to hike and festivals whereas people go skiing in winter. Odessa, a southern port city, is another spot worth checking out as it’s emblematic of how Ukraine blends Soviet and Western (Mediterranean) culture and architecture together.

Who is the most famous person in your native country?

Svyatoslav Vakarchuk

He is the lead vocalist of Okean Elzy, a famous Ukrainian rock band. Many of their songs are famous throughout Ukraine as the music is incredibly moving. I even once got to see them live in Sydney.

He’s also well known for his political involvement, being at the forefront of the Orange Revolution and Euromaidan protests in Ukraine. He now leads a political party called the Voice. It’s down-to-earth, respectable people like him who can change the world.

What is the best dish in your native country?.

Kutia

It’s a Christmas dish that is served as one of the twelve dishes (which resemble the twelve apostles) served on Christmas Eve in Ukraine. It is one of the main dishes, cooked of wheat, barley or rice and seasoned with grated poppy seeds, nuts, honey and nectar. It has a sacred meaning for the locals.

Disclaimer: All posts are personal opinions and perspectives of the interviewees and are not a perfect representation of the whole country/experience.