Page 14 - Now We're Talking!

and experienced landlady, then you can learn a lot about planting, how to make preserved
food for the winter and lots of other Ukrainian domestic tips. I had a brilliant time with my

wonderful landlady in Kiev.

Healthcare System

You cannot have access to free healthcare in Ukraine if you are not a resident, but if you need
to go to a private clinic or see a specialist, it is cheap and everyone can definitely afford it,
whereas in the UK, unless you are rich or have a specific insurance, you cannot really get a
good healthcare.

God Mother Country

Another interesting cultural aspect, which I
would like to mention is that I believe
Ukraine is a feminine country and has a

‘God Mother Spirit'. Maybe it is due to the
second world war when they lost their men
and they had to make the country strong
and stand again. Women made that
happen. There are other reasons, I am sure.
Unlike other countries, where women try to achieve equality and power, which is rather a fake
feeling; in Ukraine it is not the case and you feel this spirit everywhere.

Communication Style

I have also experienced a different communication style. I like and appreciate a lot the bold
and straightforward attitude Ukrainians have. People I met, during my stay, never pretended
and played with words to tell you something. Compared to what I experienced in the UK; it is
quite the opposite. In the UK, communication looks fake and you never know if someone is
insulting you or being really nice. They can smile and be nice to you, but it doesn’t mean that
they really do like or respect you.

Teacher’s Day

Ukrainians like celebrations, and one of the
celebrations that I like is Teacher’s Day. On Teacher’s
Day, everyone buys flowers and, in every classroom,
you find a corner with lots of flowers that students give

their teachers.

Internet and Media Experiences

The quality of the internet in Ukraine is the best I have experienced so far. In the UK, the
internet is very disappointing and poor. I would like to share with you one of the annoying
experiences in the UK, which are the national TV channels. I find it quite disturbing, especially

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