Last year, one of the Intercordians left for her placement the day after her final exam. So, she had very little time to prepare. It looks like something very similar will happen to me this year. The University of Toronto exam schedule was just released, and I have an exam in the afternoon of the final day of the exam period, which is May 6th. And, I believe my language training begins May 10th.
I guess there will be little to no time for final goodbyes before I leave. But then, that probably will turn out to be a plus.
Until next time,
Michael
About Me
- Michael Hayes
- I am a third year student at the University of Toronto-St. Michael's College doing a double major in philosophy and Christianity and culture. This summer I will go to Ukraine for three months to work with Faith and Light--an international community bringing together people with disabilities. This is an integral part of the Intercordia program in which I am enrolled. I will use this blog to record my progress. Intercordia is a registered charity. BN# 833547870RR0001
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
Three Months, or So
Dear Readers,
There are many things I could be doing right now. I could be reading for one of my courses. I could be writing a paper. But, I thought it would be good to take a little break, sit down, and write on my blog; something which I haven't done in a few weeks.
The last day of exams this year at the University of Toronto is May 6th. Presumably, I will leave for Ukraine right after exams. That means I will leave for Ukraine three months this week. After finishing exams and I will have to pack, and then I will find myself on an airplane which will take me across the pond and behind what was once the Iron Curton.
Facing this reality is, to be quite honest, scary. I have never been outside of North America. The longest I've ever been away from my family was 10 days, and that was on a retreat to a monastery in Oklahoma--not exactly an exotic location.
I was speaking to another one of the Intercordians and said that we would just try not to think about going away until we are on the plane. In theory that sounds like a good idea, but in reality I find it to be much more difficult. How can I not think about being away from my home and my family for three months in a foreign land?
If it seems that I am dreading going, be assured that I am not. I am excited. Very excited! But by excited I mean that I am looking forward to something which I know will be very good, but will also be very difficult. It will surely have its high points and low points. It will surely present me with very many struggles. I have little experience with disabled children, but in Lviv I will work with them every day. And while disabled children tend to be taken well care of here in Canada, they are too often neglected in Ukraine. Many of these children will have been abandoned or neglected by their society and maybe even their parents. I will have to face this reality every day. Surely much prayer is in order.
I have been told that the faces of the people in Ukraine reveal the memories of the Soviets, the Holodomor genocide, the Second World War, Chernobyl, and I am sure many other horrors. I cannot imagine what it is like to live with these memories. However, the culture is saturated with them.
When I applied to Intercordia, I wanted to go to a country like Ghana or Honduras, or one of the other countries which would be considered third world. I wanted to experience the incredible poverty they experienced. However, Intercordia decided to send me to Ukraine. I was never disappointed by their decision, but I still liked the idea of going to one of the poorer countries. Upon reflection, I realize that while Ukraine is very different, they suffered under just as ruthless a regime as many Central American countries did. In many ways, the psyche of the people there may be even more scarred. I don't know what to think about all of this, but I trust that it will teach me something. It probably won't be pleasent, but it will be the most important experience of my life thusfar.
Now, I must conclude by saying that I still have $840 to raise. If you are able, please consider making a donation. And remember, all donations over $25 are tax-deductible. I will be most grateful.
Until next time,
Michael
There are many things I could be doing right now. I could be reading for one of my courses. I could be writing a paper. But, I thought it would be good to take a little break, sit down, and write on my blog; something which I haven't done in a few weeks.
The last day of exams this year at the University of Toronto is May 6th. Presumably, I will leave for Ukraine right after exams. That means I will leave for Ukraine three months this week. After finishing exams and I will have to pack, and then I will find myself on an airplane which will take me across the pond and behind what was once the Iron Curton.
Facing this reality is, to be quite honest, scary. I have never been outside of North America. The longest I've ever been away from my family was 10 days, and that was on a retreat to a monastery in Oklahoma--not exactly an exotic location.
I was speaking to another one of the Intercordians and said that we would just try not to think about going away until we are on the plane. In theory that sounds like a good idea, but in reality I find it to be much more difficult. How can I not think about being away from my home and my family for three months in a foreign land?
If it seems that I am dreading going, be assured that I am not. I am excited. Very excited! But by excited I mean that I am looking forward to something which I know will be very good, but will also be very difficult. It will surely have its high points and low points. It will surely present me with very many struggles. I have little experience with disabled children, but in Lviv I will work with them every day. And while disabled children tend to be taken well care of here in Canada, they are too often neglected in Ukraine. Many of these children will have been abandoned or neglected by their society and maybe even their parents. I will have to face this reality every day. Surely much prayer is in order.
I have been told that the faces of the people in Ukraine reveal the memories of the Soviets, the Holodomor genocide, the Second World War, Chernobyl, and I am sure many other horrors. I cannot imagine what it is like to live with these memories. However, the culture is saturated with them.
When I applied to Intercordia, I wanted to go to a country like Ghana or Honduras, or one of the other countries which would be considered third world. I wanted to experience the incredible poverty they experienced. However, Intercordia decided to send me to Ukraine. I was never disappointed by their decision, but I still liked the idea of going to one of the poorer countries. Upon reflection, I realize that while Ukraine is very different, they suffered under just as ruthless a regime as many Central American countries did. In many ways, the psyche of the people there may be even more scarred. I don't know what to think about all of this, but I trust that it will teach me something. It probably won't be pleasent, but it will be the most important experience of my life thusfar.
Now, I must conclude by saying that I still have $840 to raise. If you are able, please consider making a donation. And remember, all donations over $25 are tax-deductible. I will be most grateful.
Until next time,
Michael
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