My Heritage - Ukraine

My Heritage

        For this project, I did not have to choose one side of my family over the other for the research because both sides are entirely Ukrainian. For those of you who do not know, Ukraine is the largest country in Europe, with a population of over 45 million, which is ten more million than Canada's population. It is located in the Eastern Europe, bordering with Russia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Moldova and Belarus. The Ukrainian flag is easily recognisable as it consists of two equal horizontal  stripes, blue on the top and yellow on the bottom.  

(Color Madness)

(Ukrainian Flag)

These colours were chosen to symbolise the blue skies and wheat fields, as Ukraine used to be one of the major wheat producing regions in Europe. It is a much older country than Canada with much history. Prior to becoming a country, Ukraine was known as the Kievan Rus, founded in 882 AD, since then many countries tried to conquer Ukraine. Hence it always belonged to different countries and unable to earn its total independence until 1991 when the Soviet Union fell apart. Officially, Ukraine went from being a socialist republic to a democratic country, however, in reality,  even today Ukraine is not a truly democratic country because of the deep roots of socialist ways the Soviet Union planted.

        Canada compared to Ukraine has a much better quality of life which is one of the main reasons my parents moved to Canada. Unlike in Ukraine, Canada isn’t a democratic country only on paper, but in reality as well. In Canada, laws are actually in power and are followed by the society, whereas in Ukraine, with the right amount of money you can buy yourself out of any situation or trouble that you get into. Despite the corruption, a large population of Ukrainian people, especially the students and young adults are fighting for change, an example of which would be the Euromaidan revolution which happened in 2014. 

The revolution was sparked by the actions of Ukraine's former president, Viktor Yanukovych, who announced his intention to sign the association agreement with the European Union but ultimately refused to do so at the last minute. While the people were protesting on the Maidan, Yanukovych signed a treaty and multibillion-dollar loan with Russia, which brought the revolution to a whole new level with a series of violent events involving protesters, riot police, and unknown shooters. As tensions rose, Yanukovych fled to Russia and did not return. Meanwhile, Russia invaded Ukraine and occupied Crimea, and since then Ukrainian soldiers die every day to protect my motherland. Since neither I, my family or other Ukrainian-Canadians were there during the revolution, we helped out from here by gathering supplies and raising money.  

(Fundraiser)

Although now there is movement and change going on in Ukraine, it wasn't like that in 2006 when my parents decided to immigrate to Canada. Back then Ukraine was still a country which endured years of corruption, mismanagement and lack of economic growth, which is why my parents felt the need to immigrate to a country with a better future for me. Vancouver was the city they first migrated to, because of a job offer.  

(Vancouver)

However later, in about 2 months they moved to Toronto, to my mom's friend from Ukraine. I immigrated 3 years later, at the age of 9, and had a surprise waiting for me. A 4-month-old baby sister, whom I was excited about at first, however now she's a huge pain.

       If I hadn't moved to Canada, my life would be pretty different. Below is a picture of a Cheater from the city I’m from, the city Lviv. 

(Ukrainian Theater)

In Ukraine, there are 11 grades of school instead of 12, and you don't get to choose your courses. There are no school buses, and a school holds kids since grade I to grade 11. After grade 9 you can opt to apply to a college, or you can study two additional years if you want to apply to a university. Since I'm applying to a university, I would be in grade 11, my final year, studying 20 classes, with 7 classes a day instead of 4. I would be studying Ukrainian language (2h/week), Ukrainian literature (2h/week), English (3h/week), World Literature (2h/week), History of Ukraine (1.5h/week), World History (1h/week), Economics (1h/week), Social Studies (0.5h/week), Art culture (0.5h/week), Algebra (3h/week), Geometry (2h/week), Astronomy (0.5h/week), Biology (1.5h/week), Ecology (0.5h/week), Physics (3h/week), Chemistry (2h/week), Computer Technology (2h/week),  General Technology (1h/week), Gym (2h/week), Military (1h/week)(girls learn first-aid, and guys learn combat). Below is a picture of my report card and honour roll from grade 3.

(Grade 3 Honour Roll)

(Grade 3 Report Card)

I would only have to write exams two years, once in grade 9 and another time in grade 11. There are only 3 mandatory exams, Ukrainian language, math or history, depending what you want and the third one is a personal choice. The exams count as final summative to your term mark as well an entrance into a university. Since for some programs you need to show more than just 3 marks to be accepted into a university, you have the option of writing 2 more exams which will not count toward your school mark. Employment is a problem in Ukraine as the education system allows many students graduate with a high degree, and there are just not enough of jobs to go around. Many people end up working at a lower class job that what they studied for. Like in Canada health care is also free in Ukraine. However, family doctors can come home to you if you are sick, so you don't have to waste time sitting at clinics or hospitals waiting for your turn. Overall I am glad that I live in Canada and don't have to experience what my life would be like in Ukraine right now. Could you imagine having 20 classes instead of 8.

Works Cited

Color Madness. 5 Sept. 2014. Gbtimes, Natalia Mihailova. Accessed 14 Jan. 2017.

Fundraiser. 2016.

Grade 3 Honour Roll. 2009

Grade 3 Report Card. 2009.

"Ukrainian Flag." Country Flags. Accessed 15 Jan. 2017.

Ukrainian Theater. Ukraine Travel Blog. Accessed 15 Jan. 2017.

Vancouver. 2006.