The crisis in Ukraine is the top news in all media. But does it mean that it is dangerous to participate in a Ukrainian Summer University? “No”, says Anastasia Kolomiiets from AEGEE-Kyiv full of conviction. The main organizer of the Travelling Summer University (TSU) “RadioActive” told the Golden Times how big the loss for interested AEGEE members would be, if they missed out on visiting Ukraine this summer. Also Aleksandra Okhrimenko (AEGEE-Lviv), who organizes another Summer University with Ukrainian participation, encourage everyone to visit Ukraine – and to meet the people who have been demonstrating for more democracy in this beautiful country in the past half year. Finally, Anna Pykhtina (AEGEE-Lviv), organizing team member of the TSU “Think different: Get out of your comfort zone!”, tells about her SU, which was changed when the situation was more intense in Kyiv and is only taking place in Poland now. Now, that the situation in the Ukrainian capital calmed down, also Anna encourages to come to Kyiv – after taking place in her TSU of course: “Visiting Ukraine now is really interesting as history is being created in this very moment!”
Anastasia Kolomiiets, coordinator of the TSU RadioActive, organised by AEGEE-Kyiv
Golden Times: Will your SU take place in Ukraine as planned?
Anastasia: Our TSU RadioActive will take place in Ukraine as planned. We didn’t change the programme as all the cities, which we will visit during TSU are completely safe: Kyiv, Cherkasy, Uman’ and Odessa. We are looking forward to welcoming our participants soon!
Golden Times: So you don’t consider the situation in Ukraine as dangerous foe the participants? Anastasia: I don’t consider the Ukraine situation as dangerous for participants. Generally, last winter our country faced a lot of challenges and suffering, but now after the revolution we are going through a stage of renewal and building democratic European values in politics and society. Now we have only one problem and it is Mr. Putin’s aggression. His actions apply only to the Eastern Ukraine where we won’t take our participants!
Golden Times: What else would you like to tell potential applicants, who consider applying to your event?
Anastasia: I honestly believe that until this summer everything will be better and Ukrainian SUs will be great. Even in February, when the situation was the worst, it was happening only in one street in Kyiv, so in case there will be against all odds some dangerous places, we will avoid them. We, Ukrainians, are at the moment creating our history. Unfortunately it is always a game of powers when it comes to politics and there are things that we cannot predict. No one can. But we continue to live, to create and to organize and life goes on! So, join us, and you will experience unique and safe adventures!
Check it out:
TSU “RadioActive”: 26th of July to 9th of August
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/events/1386973444899514/
TSU promo video: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=686312771432896
Aleksandra Okhrimenko, organiser of the TSU “Open Your Mind” by AEGEE-Bratislava and AEGEE-Lviv
Golden Times: Will your SU take place in Ukraine as planned?
Aleksandra: Our SU starts on the 31st of July in Bratislava. Then we continue to the city under mountains, Poprad. After seven days in Slovakia the participants can choose whether they continue for another amazing five days with our Ukrainian organisers to Lviv, where we will stick to the original programme. They will also visit the breathtaking “Tunnel of Love” in Klevan city.
Golden Times: Did you make any changes in the Ukrainian programme?
Aleksandra: We changed the programme slightly. We cut Odessa from the list, mainly for organizational reasons, but we don’t think our SU will be more boring due to this fact. In general, the participants can choose their own ending of this event, so it’s even more interesting! Moreover, we cut some hours of trainings focused on non-formal education and added some other interesting things. But don´t worry, the topic of non-formal education is still part of the programme and we will welcome all fans of this theme.
Golden Times: Do you consider the situation in Ukraine as dangerous for the participants?
Aleksandra: We don´t consider situation in Ukraine as dangerous for the participants, mainly not in Lviv, but we understand that some people might not be sure of whether to travel there or not. Therefore we give them a chance to choose from the two endings. If we would consider it life-threatening, we wouldn´t have come to this decision at all.
Golden Times: What would you like to tell potential applicants, who consider applying to your event?
Lucia and Aleksandra: Don’t hesitate and apply! We will taste delicious food, relax at the rivers, lakes and have fun in the aquapark right under our highest mountains, you can try your braveness and jump from a bridge, climb the mountains, check the European city of culture of 2013, spend many crazy hours in trains – in short: you will never forget this summer! The fee includes the entrance to the new aquapark, so don’t forget to pack your sexy swimsuits!
Check it out:
TSU “Open Your Mind”: 1st to 15th of August
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/286112458203551/
TSU promo video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzS30s9okK8
Anna Pykhtina (AEGEE-Kyiv), organizing team member of the TSU “Think different: Get out of your comfort zone!” by AEGEE-Kraków, AEGEE-Kyïv and AEGEE-Warszawa
Golden Times: Will your SU take place in Ukraine as planned or did you change the programme?
Anna: No, we changed the programme.
Golden Times: What did you change?
Anna: We changed the dates – now it starts on 4th of July and finishes on 18th. Also the route was changed. Instead of going to Ukraine we will visit only Polish cities: Krakow, Zakopane, Warsaw and, Masurian Lake District.
Golden Times: Why did you skip the Ukrainian part? Do you consider the situation in Ukraine as dangerous for the participants?
Anna: About a month ago we – AEGEE Kraków, AEGEE Warszawa and AEGEE Kyiv – decided together that unfortunately our TSU will not take place in Kyiv. It was not an easy decision, considering that lots of preparations had already been done, lots of work already put into the project and the travelling route seemed very, very attractive. On the other hand, over a month ago the situation in Ukraine became very unstable. We all know about it as all AEGEEans were observers and a great support. At that time our three antennae felt that the situation in Kyiv becomes serious and can have influence on our project. We did not know how the situation would develop in a few months and we also understood that many potential participants shared the same feeling. This is why we decided to move the whole TSU to Poland, of course still organized by the same team! Fortunately our fears about Ukraine did not come true and Kyiv is in a good condition, still being very attractive to tourists. We are happy to know that AEGEE-Kyiv decided to continue organizing the TSU of our antenna: “RadioActive”! But as we already brought changes to our TSU “Think different: Get out of your comfort zone!”, we cannot change it once again. Our old-new TSU is amazing, too. We will travel from the very South to the North of Poland. It will be a wonderful TSU organised by three great antennae and we cannot wait for it! We invite you all to apply!
Golden Times: What do you offer to participants, who want to visit Kyiv anyway?
Anna: If a participant of “Think different: Get out of your comfort zone!” would like to visit Ukraine, they can visit Kyiv and other cities by themselves. AEGEE-Kyiv is always glad to help with any questions and would be happy to see new visitors! Actually, visiting Ukraine now is really interesting as history is being created in this very moment!
Golden Times: What would you like to tell potential applicants, who consider applying to your event?
Anna: Think different and get out of your comfort zone with us!
Check it out:
TSU “Think different: Get out of your comfort zone!”: 4th to 18th of July
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/207048112822827/
TSU promo video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYcq4k5WCi8
