UKELODEON: For The Next Generation (10/12/03)

UKELODEON

For The Next Generation

Rising to the challenge during a study trip to Israel

by Ulyana Horodyskyj

Does a month in Israel conducting research and exploring the country sound like an unbelievable adventure? It was this and much more for me. Who knew that when I was offered a scholarship to participate in the Dr. Bessie F. Lawrence International Summer Science Institute (ISSI) 2003 that I would not want to come home once I got there?

This year, the ISSI invited more than 50 students from various countries to conduct scientific research during the month of July at the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot, Israel. Some chose not to come because of the current unstable situation in the Middle East, but I would not have passed up this opportunity for the world.

Although I went for the experience of visiting a foreign country, I came away with much more than that.

This fall I will start my college career at Rice University in Houston, Texas, more than 1,300 miles from my home. ISSI truly prepared me for independent college life. I was on my own in a foreign country for a month doing college-level work, all the while trying to overcome cultural and language barriers with other students from all over the world. This experience was truly memorable. I have a feeling that the people I met and worked with will one day be my professional colleagues.

My specific research project was on the physics of the brain. I worked with a student from Washington. We met four years ago in Detroit at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair and have been fierce competitors ever since. Now, however, we had a great time working together while recording and analyzing our brain waves. Our project gave "sleeping on the job" a whole new meaning.

We learned a lot from our mentor at the institute and because of the great report and presentation that we put together, we were treated to lunch on the town. By doing this college-level work, I proved to myself that I truly am ready for Rice University, a very demanding institution.

However, scientific research was not the only thing we did. Every weekend we traveled to a different part of Israel for some rest and relaxation. Our first trip was to Hacarmel, a resort by the Mediterranean Sea. On the way there, we stopped at Caesaria, a site of ancient Roman ruins. Walking among these ruins gave me an eerie feeling. I felt that if I listened hard enough, I could hear the roar of the crowd as chariot racers sped by in the amphitheater.

Once in Hacarmel, we settled in and got acquainted with each other. Each country's students gave a presentation of something from their native land. These were very interesting and ranged from TV show renditions, singing and dancing, to trying new foods.

In addition to representing the United States, I, along with my roommate from Germany - who happened to be Ukrainian! - and a boy from Ukraine got together to sing the Ukrainian national anthem. As one of three Ukrainians from three different countries sharing our common heritage with others, I felt great pride as I stood there in my embroidered blouse, singing.

My time in Hacarmel was incredible. For one, our accommodations were very unusual. We stayed in igloos on the beach. Of course, they were made of concrete, not ice. My igloo was closest to the Mediterranean, and I got up early one morning for a walk on the sand. However, by that time, the ground was littered with washed-up jellyfish. This meant that I had to watch my step, especially since I was still half-asleep.

The last day I went on a tour of prehistoric caves near Mount Carmel. It was spooky to walk through the caves and hear the bats screeching, as well as see where archaeologists had dug up ancient human fossils.

The following weekend we traveled down to Eilat, about four hours from Rehovot. Eilat is at the very "bottom" of Israel, on the Red Sea. There, I went snorkeling at Coral Beach and could not resist buying an underwater camera to take pictures of the majestic and colorful coral and fish. The beach was strewn with washed up coral and shells as well, which I added to my collection of souvenirs. That night, we went to a ranch for dinner and dancing. The ranch looked like a set from an old Wild West movie. It was fun to take pictures there and dance in the club to all the modem music. There were plenty of animals running around, too - a peacock, camels and a dog that looked like an overgrown Chihuahua.

The next day we went on a yacht called the Captain Philip. From the yacht, I elected to go on a "banana boat," which is an inflatable raft. It was attached to a speedboat that then sped off while we held on for dear life. Our raft flipped over twice and, every time I went over, I got salt water in my eyes and ears. It was great fun, though.

As if that was not enough, then I went parasailing. Since I was so light, I was allowed to go first. There was plenty of wind, so there was no problem getting up 200 feet in the air. The view was incredible! I was able to see the borders of Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.

However, my favorite weekend trip was our stay at the Ein Gedi Field School, located in the Judean Desert near the Dead Sea. We had finished all our lab work and presented our reports. Now, it was time for the hiking and desert survival part of the experience. On the first day, we hiked through Flour Cave. It was pitch black in there, and we had to navigate by feeling the walls. When I emerged into daylight, I realized where it got its name. There was white powder all over me. It was just like flour, but tasted salty. That day we also hiked to Mount Sedom, where we had a better view of the Dead Sea. It was amazing to see all that salt.

The next day was our first intense hike. As we hiked up one of the mountains near the Field School, we stopped at springs and pools, as well as waterfalls along the way. This was very refreshing because of the intense heat. We then had a chance to enjoy nature's own water park, complete with water slides. Hiking through the different wadis (dry riverbeds) and up mountains was a lot of fun but challenging at times, too.

Not only did we have to rely on each other, but we had to push ourselves to the limits to complete the hikes. I was walking with bad blisters on both feet and at one point had to lead my team out of the wadi and to the buses. It was tough on me because I was in a lot of pain, but it taught me leadership. I also learned a very important lesson: the desert shows no mercy.

The best motto for the desert is: be prepared. Anything can happen. A wrong turn can lead to disaster. One wrong step can mean a twisted or broken ankle. Sleeping under the stars can turn the hunters into the hunted. (I woke up to the sight of a hyena checking out our campsite). Running out of water - well, we won't even think about that!

The hardest hike was the one up Mount Masada, an ancient fortress atop a mountain where a group of Zealots once fought the Romans. We started off before dawn, hiking through the darkness, striving to get to the top before the sun came up. We achieved our goal and watched the sun rise over the Dead Sea. I could almost hear the sounds of the long-ago conflict echoing from the ruined fortress walls.

However, it was not all walking and hiking. We rode camels out into the desert and spent a day at a Bedouin camp. There we shared a traditional meal with them and were treated to a musical and dance performance. On the way back, we stopped under the stars, formed a circle holding hands and prayed for peace. Being part of a group of students from many different countries and various religious beliefs all praying together in the land where Jesus once walked made me feel that there is hope for a better future. At that moment I was overcome with an immense and awesome feeling.

I leamed a lot about myself during this trip. The research was very demanding but satisfying. The desert magnified my weaknesses, but I was able to overcome them. This was the best thing that could have happened to me - learning to confront and overcome all challenges, physical as well as mental. I truly believe that I am now prepared for my new life. Let the journey begin!

Ulyana Horodyskyj was the 2003 class valedictorian at Padua Franciscan High School, where she placed first in her class of 260 and was also the recipient of the Phi Beta Kappa Award. She is now a freshman at Rice University in Houston, where she is majoring in physics and astronomy. Ulyana also is a midshipman in Rice University's Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC).

SUM youths and Hillside parish mark beginning of new year of activity

HILLSIDE, N.J. - September 7 was a very special day at Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Hillside, N.J. On that day, the parish enthusiastically welcomed its new energetic pastor, Father Andriy Rabiy. In turn, Father Rabiy warmly welcomed Ukrainian American Youth Association (SUM) members participating in the divine liturgy and the parish picnic.

During the 10:45 a.m. liturgy, the children of the Irvington, N.J., "oseredok" (branch) of SUM served as ushers, sang with the choir and read the Epistle in Ukrainian and English. Several children also stood at attention with the SUM flag, which is inscribed with the group's motto "God and Ukraine."

Father Rabiy focused his sermon on the children. He praised them for taking the initiative to further develop themselves via SUM's activities. Father Rabiy also encouraged the children to continue to develop their relationship with God and His Church. He invited all the children to take part in their respective parishes' religious education program or at the Hillside parish, where the religious education program is targeted to children in preschool (age 3) through Grade 8.

With the leadership of Toma Pyz, a ceremonial assembly was held on the Church grounds following the liturgy. Thus, the 2003-2004 season of SUM-Irvington was officially launched.

Under perfect summer conditions, parishioners and SUM members joined together at a local Union County park. Individuals joined in numerous activities including: volleyball, bocce, basketball, hiking, soccer and playing on swings. Many preferred to relax by lounging under the shade of majestic trees.

Regardless of whether individuals were parishioners, members of SUM or guests, the spirit of cooperation was quite evident - especially as many "jumped in" to help make the day a resounding success. It was especially heartwarming to see the parish and SUM children welcome other local children from different cultures to join in the festivities. The Christian spirit was truly visible through the actions of the children.

Mishanyna

To solve this month's Mishanyna search the grid to find the names of the leafy trees listed below.

alder, ash, aspen, beech, birch, buckeye, cherry, chestnut, dogwood, elm, hickory, hornbeam, horsechestnut, magnolia, maple, oak, poplar, sumac, sweetgum, sycamore, walnut, willow

Now, to complete you search in the grid, find the word that describes what types of trees these are. (Hint: the word has nine letters.)

OUR NEXT ISSUE: UKELODEON is published on the second Sunday of every month. To make it into our next issue, dated November 9, please send in your materials by October 31.

PLEASE DROP US A LINE: UKELODEON - The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10 - P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054.

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