Our annual Open World program was exceptional when five representatives from the Ukrainian Ministry of Education visited Rochester, N.Y.
The Open World Program, which is sponsored by the U.S. Congress, was administered locally by Josephine Perini, board chairman/director of international programs, and by Amy Gambino, executive director of Rochester Global Connections, a not-for-profit organization. Tamara Denysenko, the retired CEO of the Ukrainian Federal Credit Union, and presently the UFCU Foundation chair and a director at large of Rochester Global Connections, planned the visits to Ukrainian churches, fraternal groups and organizations.
Prior to their arrival in Rochester, the delegates met with personnel in Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s and Rep. Louise Slaughter’s offices in Washington.
Our visitors were met at the airport in Rochester by their host families. Ihor Adamczuk and his wife, Karen, hosted Andrij Hevko, the deputy minister of education and science. Stephany Wowkowych hosted Ulyana Luchkiv, the deputy head of the Legal Department. Volodymyr Kashperskyy, chief specialist, higher education network and technology support, stayed with Bohdan Pomayda, and his wife, Nelya. Bogdan Kudrenko, chief specialist, primary and secondary education, spent the week with Stephan and Olga Szylo. Ihor and Christine Hoshowsky hosted Oksana Tilnenko, the chief specialist in the Department of Training and Certification. Lois and Ron Dworsky, the most senior among us, split hosting responsibilities for Oksana V. Shabas with Wolodymyr and Irma Pylyshenko. Ms. Shabas, the program coordinator at the Coverdell World Wise Schools program of the U.S. Peace Corps in Ukraine, was the facilitator and translator on this trip.
Community activities
On the first evening, the hosts and delegates attended a welcome dinner at the home of Mary and Jerry Chairpar, where they reviewed the program, socialized and ate a pot-luck supper.
On Saturday morning, the delegates saw a children’s performance given in their honor at the Taras Shevchenko Ukrainian School, whose principal is Zhanna Wirlo. Next the delegates enjoyed a coffee hour with members of the Rochester Ukrainian Group at the UFCU’s Community Room. From there they traveled to Niagara Falls. Thought the weather was foul, the falls were impressive. Upon their return, they rushed to see the film “Babylon ‘13” at the Ukrainian Cultural Center and to hear the director Yuri Gruzinov speak candidly of the loss and suffering on the Maidan and in the separatist-held regions of eastern Ukraine, and of his personal tribulations in Crimea.
On Sunday there were visits to the Ukrainian Churches – the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Epiphany and St. Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and a feast day luncheon at St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church at the invitation of the pastor, the Rt. Rev. Mitred Archpriest Philip Weiner.
This was followed by a Community Forum hosted by the Legacy at Cranberry Landing.
Professional visits
During the week, the delegates made visits to local schools, colleges and universities, where they pieced together an image of the American school system. Among the places they visited were the Rochester Christian Elementary School, Pittsford Sutherland High School, Irondequoit High School, Monroe Community College, Nazareth College, and the Warner School of Education at the University of Rochester. There the delegates met and networked with notable leaders, administrators and educators. Information presented included career exploration, financial support and cost effectiveness, academic standards and academic integrity, college accreditation and two-year degree programs.
George Eisen, executive director of the Center for International Education at Nazareth College, promoted its international exchange program. Elena Dilai, a Fourth Wave Ukrainian American and an assistant professor of mathematics at Monroe Community College, compared her experience of education in Ukraine with her knowledge of American education.
Other public officials with whom the delegation met included, T. Andrew Brown, a member of the New York State Board of Regents, and Timothy R. Weir, Ted Wright and Debbie Cole, administrators in the City of Rochester Office of Public Integrity. New York State Sen. Joe Robach explained the role the state legislature plays in local and higher education.
In mid-week, the delegates met with Irondequoit Town Supervisor Adam Bello, Irondequoit Town Councilwoman Irene Skrobach and Irondequoit Chief Court Clerk Irene Szmigel. Mr. Bello, spent considerable time explaining the operation of the two locally controlled Irondequoit school districts and their relationship to town, state and federal governments. At the close of their meeting, the delegates had their picture taken beside the Ukrainian monument erected to mark 100 years of Ukrainian settlement in Rochester.
Next the delegates visited the Ukrainian Federal Credit Union, where they were welcomed by CEO Oleh Lebedko and Chairman of the Board Wasyl Kornylo, who was recently elected as chairman of the Ukrainian National Credit Union Association. The delegates toured the headquarters in Rochester and learned about the 60-year history of this community institution. Today UFCU has branches in several states and encourages common-bond community relations coast to coast. Following the presentation, UFCU invited our guests to lunch at a local restaurant.
Cultural activities
The latter part of the week was devoted to cultural activities such as visits to the Rochester Memorial Art Gallery, the Rochester Museum and Science Center, and the Strong Museum of Play with its adjoining two-story Butterfly Topiary.
On Thursday evening, all attended a concert of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra at Kodak Hall in the Eastman Theater, where Vadym Kholodenko, a Ukrainian pianist and gold medal winner at the 14th Van Cliburn Competition (2013), played Sergei Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 16. This powerful composition artistically rendered by Mr. Kholodenko drew much applause – indeed, a standing ovation. At intermission, the Open World guests met with Jose Luis Gomez, the guest conductor, and Mr. Kholodenko, the guest pianist. The Eastman Theater, a nexus for musicians and music lovers worldwide, served to showcase one of our own and to bring our far-flung Ukrainian family together for this proud moment.
Farewell
On Wednesday evening, as a thank you to us, our guests prepared a dinner with borshch at the home of the Pylyshenkos. The food was delicious, the ambience casual and the conversation engaging. After the meal, in true American fashion, we went bowling.
Closure came on Friday evening during the farewell dinner at an Italian restaurant, where program certificates were distributed, expressions of appreciation were made and good-byes were exchanged.
This Open World program was deemed a success. Here East met West and a dialogue commenced. Our Ukrainian delegates – intelligent, resourceful, diligent and savvy – left us believing that Ukraine will prevail.