Yeo Kok Chuan, 22, a student from Universiti Sains Malaysia went to Ukraine for an exchange. He was involved in a project called, Children’s Path.
Want to know more about his story? Let’s find out. =)
Why Ukraine? According to Kok Chuan, “My aim was to go Europe for an exchange, especially modern European countries. However, I chose the project that I am more interested in, instead of choosing the country that I like. Hence, I found that the project offered in Uzhgorod, Ukraine was pretty interesting and suits me. Also, it provides food and accommodation for the interns. So, I made my choice to chose LC Uzhgorod Ukraine as my exchange country.”
Kok Chuan was extremely excited before going to Ukraine. Of course, he is NERVOUS!! That was his first time staying in European country alone for 6 weeks. Ukraine is less polluted as compared to Malaysia. However, he was so afraid that he could not adapt to the environment there. Thus, he did a lot of research before he leave Malaysia, like reading blogs and articles about that country, understanding the culture there, get to know Malaysia embassy number in Ukraine and etc. He was well-prepared for the exchange!
When Kok Chuan went to Ukraine, it was mid spring (May – July). The weather is heavenly nice and comfortable. The weather there is around 18 – 25 degree Celsius , which he never experience in Malaysia. He feels great there!
The aim of project Children’s Path, is to introduce culture to the people there and teach children English. So, he taught kindergarten children, orphans and even University students English. As he needs to educate the audience both Malaysian culture and English, he make the lesson fun and interesting! Kok Chuan wore Malaysian traditional costume, sang national anthem to children and did slide show presentation about Malaysia.
Everyday is a new challenge for Kok Chuan during his exchange, but he faced is with an open heart. First was the language barrier. According to him, it was very difficult to communicate with the people there as most Ukranians do not speak English. He did learn their language, so that he could at least greet or ask for help there. Their wording system is different. It was harder than Kok Chuan thought. Therefore, he utilizes body language in his communication.
Second, working in a team with different people with different background is not an easy task, as each person has their own opinion. Although there were only three interns in the team, working together and coming to a consensus was still a tough time to them.
Kok Chuan realised and learnt that patience is the most important skill to communicate with the kids. They are hyperactive, curious, energetic and cute of course. "Ukrainian kids are simply just so adorable and cute!! Green, blue and hazel eyes." Therefore, the interns need to be energetic and think of fun ways to attract the kids’ attention. Besides, they have to ensure that the kids understood what they taught. Thus, they did attractive presentations and gave them small gifts if the kids could answer their questions in class.
AIESEC Uzhgorod, Ukraine provided Kok Chuan with a host family. Kok Chuan feels weird to live in a stranger’s house provided with own keys, cooked for him and has his own room as well. It was more than what he had expected. He was living with a mother and her son. The son could speak English quite well, but not the mom. Thus, Kok Chuan communicate with his mom using body language. To him, it was very awkward as they did not get what he was trying to say or tell. Initially it is very hard for them to communicate, but the situation turned better until he equipped himself with a basic level of Ukrainian language. And he considered himself as a good leaner of language because he learnt the language faster than other interns.
Through out Kok Chuan’s exchange, he learnt how to communicate efficiently, be flexible and more open minded, listen to others, work in group, take care of others, to be more independent, love the people that love him, appreciate what they have and other people’s culture. Most importantly, learnt how to change yourself instead of changing others.
One of his unforgettable experience he had is with the orphans in a orphanage. Orphans can choose the skills they want to learn like handicrafts, English and many more, in that orphanage. Kok Chuan and other interns were responsible to teach them English and most of them showed the willingness and passion to learn. When he first reached there, they all came to him, hugged him, took his hands and walked along with them. The orphans did not smell pleasant because they did not care much about their hygiene. They are abandoned by their parents and this school only take them in until they reach the age 18. After that, they will need to find their own jobs outside. Each time they hold his hands, it just feel so cold, as they only wore very few pieces of clothes. What makes him felt so touched is that every time he went there, the orphans smile brightly and their innocent laughter filled the air.
His responsibility was to teach them English but he realised that being their friend is more important, as English can’t be learnt within a week or month. All these orphans need love. Kok Chuan was trying all his best to give his love to all these poor children.
He remembered one, it was a birthday session, where the owner of the orphanage gave presents to some orphans. The presents were sponsored by few Germans with a letter in each present. He was there helping, and the orphanage owner asked him to read out the content of the letter to an orphan. The letter was so touching and warm that he cried while reading it to the orphan. It was kinda embarrassed though, but it was truly meaningful to Kok Chuan. Unfortunately, the orphan beside him did not understand what he ws reading, because he could not understand English. Kok Chuan then realised that the orphans do not even know when is their birthday and the reason they received presents. The orphans keep requesting to get another present in the coming week. "We always celebrate our birthday with friends and family, get what we wished for, study in university, but for these orphans... we should always appreciate what we had and having now. Love the people around us! There is a nice quote saying: I don't have time to hate people because I am busy loving people that loved me."
Kok Chuan loves AIESEC Uzhgorod, Ukraine a lot! They gave him surprise upon his arrival in Uzhgorod. They did a prank on him. Kok Chuan called the AIESECers when he was going to reach Uzhgorod but they told him they were still sleeping. But the fact was, they were all waiting for him in the bus station waiting to give him a SURPRISE!!... They were hiding behind all the interns and jumped out suddenly to hugged Kok Chuan with a warmth and surprise reception.
Kok Chuan rate his exchange a 9.5 out of 10, as the love that had given by LC Uzhgorod to interns was more than enough.
