Ukrainian Language School

This summer, we spent two weeks in Lviv studying Ukrainian at the Ukrainian Catholic University.

When we first moved to Ukraine, almost 5 years ago, Mike had wanted to do language study at this university. We kept putting it off that first year- it just seemed too difficult with a little baby.

Fast forward 4 years, with an almost 5 year old, 2 year old and a 4 month old: we realized it was never going to happen unless we just did it. So, we decided to do it!

It worked out really well! We stayed on campus in the newly built dormitory, had classes in the building next to the dorms (literally right next to it) and ate most of our meals in the cafeteria. 

I had my lesson in the mornings and Mike had his lessons in the afternoon. After the kids went to sleep for the night, we both did our homework for the next day.

We had the same teacher. She was a wonderful teacher! This was my first time studying Ukrainian and she gave me a great foundation to build on. 

Mike was at the advanced level- which did not surprise me. He has worked so hard to learn Ukrainian. He studied for almost 3 years in the US with a tutor and has had private lessons weekly since we moved here. He rarely gives himself a break from learning the language in one form or another. 

I studied at the beginner level. I had studied Russian prior to this- 2 years in the US and private lessons off and on since we moved here. I hear Mike speak Ukrainian everyday, so I have a lot of that vocabulary embedded in my brain. 

It was challenging to go from Russian to Ukrainian: the languages are similar, but also very different. Same alphabet, but some of the letters are pronounced differently. 

My goal is to continue studying both languages. Russian- with a private tutor. Ukrainian- with the materials from the university and Mike to correct my work.

We are hoping to go back next summer!

Our view from our first dorm room: a Greek Catholic church under construction.

This amazing park that was next to the campus: Striyskiy Park. Beautiful. We took the kids for walks there almost everyday.

Mike and his study partners.

Our view from our second dorm room (we had to switch rooms halfway through our stay). I love soviet-era looking buildings. We especially loved this partly finished dome-shaped structure.

A fountain in the park. It is from the Ukrainian fairytale, Ivasik Telesik, in which a small boy is rescued from a dragon by a goose who carried him home.

Every evening, we would take the kids out and do something fun with them. They were definitely tired. We had some late nights!

We had a lot of fun exploring the city center.