Interview with Svitlana Didushenko, July 6, 2021

Interview Summary

Abstract Svitlana Didushenko, Counterpart Ukraine Didushenko has been a counterpart to 6 PCV’s at the institute in Zaporizhia, Ukraine, since the inception of the institute in 1994. There, she teaches English to students in a variety of majors. Foreigners, in her estimation, enhance the use of “real American English,” permitting her students to hear different American accents, and, thus, promoting multi-cultural awareness. PCV’s introduced her to Yahoo, to Powerpoint, and to Living Libraries, all of which are integral to her teaching practices now. Procuring housing for volunteers is the most challenging aspect of being a counterpart for her. Didushenko suggests future counterparts attend to the deadlines related to registering volunteers in their cities, arrange housing in advance of the arrival of a volunteer, act professionally with the volunteer, and respect the volunteer’s privacy and independence. She is especially grateful for the many books provided to her by the Peace Corps office in Kyiv.

Interview Keyword

Institute Zaporizhia, Ukraine Foreigners Multi-cultural awareness Yahoo Powerpoint Living Libraries Housing Deadlines Respect Grateful Books

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Interview Usage

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