Page 13 - Now We're Talking!

A Place in the Sun

People may have different reasons for relocating
and starting a new life in different countries around
the world. I have lived in different places before I

settled in the UK and one of the countries that left
a lasting effect on me is Ukraine. I would like to
share with you some of the observations I made
while living there and compare them to my life
experiences in the UK.

Life in Ukraine

Whenever I ask others what they know about life in Ukraine, each time they give different
answers. Some of them instantly think of Chernobyl, some mention a famous football player

and others express opinions on what they heard from broadcastings, especially about the
conflict with Russia. If you ask me, I would say I felt totally safe, happy and secure. For me, it is
not always a well-paid job or money that would make me choose a place to live. There are
other factors that outline the quality of life for me, for instance the quality of communication,
food, the health care system, climate, culture, etc. When it comes to defining the quality of
life, I would consider what I can afford, how much my life is going to improve, and how much I
can put into other people’s lives and be a useful part of the society I live in.

Ukrainian Agricultural Culture

I had a wonderful time in Kiev while I was working and
studying there. One of the most attractive elements
associated to Kiev is their agricultural culture. They love

planting and gardening, and almost everyone can do it and
it’s not a fancy or unaffordable practice like in the UK.
Almost everyone has a summer house, mainly on the
outskirts of the city. People travel to plant their own
organic onions, potatoes and other vegetables, and fruits. They consume their own produce
and they are sceptical about mass produced food. If you are lucky and rent a place from a nice

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