International Theological Education Ministries, Inc.

Ukraine and especially its capital city of Kiev is a fantastic place to visit! It is known for its national treasures, beautiful Cathedrals, shopping and friendly atmosphere. The Ukrainian people are friendly and helpful for Americans. It is a place worth visiting for the experience. It can only be described as a trip you will never forget!

Oh, no. Do I really have to do homework again?
Preparing to travel can be a hastle. Traveling overseas can increase excitement as well as blood pressure if not adequately prepared. Planning an exciting and trouble-free trip to Ukraine may take some effort on your part. But it is well worth it. So do your homework and begin preparations with a simple list of essential tips.

Passports and Visas
All foreigners are required to have a passport in their possession at all times. The passport must be valid for at least one month beyond the end of the intended stay. As of July 2005, visas are no longer required for stays of less than 90 days for citizens of the United States, European Union countries, Canada, Japan, and several other countries. Check with the Ukrainian Consulate in your country for up-to-date information. You can visit their website by clicking here.

Language
Ukrainian is the country's official language. Visitors will find that the population of Kyiv and eastern Ukraine mostly speak Russian, while people in western Ukraine speak Ukrainian. Crimea and Odessa are also Russian speaking. English and other languages are not commonly spoken yet, so It is essential to brush up on your Russian or Ukrainian and then safely use an interpreter. If you are traveling to one of our schools there you will be met by someone from school who will be able to provide for your basic needs and wants on your way to school.

Lodging
The lodging is provided by the schools and is usually basic but accomodative. Just remember that you are not on vacation but on a real missions trip and you will feel much better. You will generally have a good idea of when the meals are served and when to teach and you can have some time for lesson preparation, or siteseeing. Just be prepared to have a very busy schedule. Most of the staff will speak very little and/or very broken English and would be very appreciative when you use your Russian/Ukrainian to communicate. Just make sure you know what you are saying. If you desire to stay in a hotel, in Kiev expect EU rates for foreigners and hotel staff speaking only Ukrainian or Russian. In Kyiv, there are several hotels where the staff also speaks English. Research hotels carefully - many are low-priced and poor-quality, places that even Ukrainians may not stay.

Food
Ukrainian cuisine has a rich history and offers a wide variety of dishes. Many have been partly lent to other cuisines like German, Turkish and Polish. The cuisine of Ukraine has also influenced the cuisines of other neighbouring countries, such as Russia. Meat (especially pork), vegetables, fruit, mushrooms, berries, and herbs play a major part. Ukrainian food is filling, and is served in large quantities. You may have heard of Salo (salted pork fat, similar to bacon but with significantly higher ratio of fat to meat, or occasionally raw pig fat) and dreaded the time you will not want to offend your Ukrainian host by refusing to eat it. In fact, it is sometimes jokingly referred to as Ukraine's "official food". Salo is most often served with horilka (vodka in Russian) or Samohon (moonshine), sometimes with infusions of fruit, spices or hot peppers. But in Christian circles that would be rather uncommon to serve alcohol.

Whlie there, do not miss the opportunity to try Ukrainian Borscht (a vegetable soup, most commonly made with beets and meat), Olivye salad (from French "Olivier", called the "Russian salad" in the West), Holubtsi (rolls of cabbage or vine leaves stuffed with minced meat and rice or millet, or buckwheat-stuffed beet leaves), Varenyky (often called perogies in English, boiled dumplings, usually filled with potatoes, cabbage, cheese, or seasonal fruits, topped with butter and sugar or fried bits of salo and onions, accompanied by sour cream), and Kvas (sweet-and-sour beverage made from bread through similar process to brewing beer). Do not be afraid of trying it, because the experience will be well worth it. Even the Ukrainian restaurants in the US will not be serving you food that tastes as good since US market uses different ingredients.

Money
The official Ukrainian currency is the Hryvnia (UAH). While it is possible to spend US dollars at many locations, it would be best to convert your money. The best exchange rates can be obtained at banks and currency exchange offices in hotels. Make sure to be careful not to show your wads of green papers in public. It is considered not only rude but can also attract unwanted attention. Ukrainian law allows foreigners to bring up to $10,000 US cash into the country, but even more important is the fact that you are allowed to take only up to $1,000 out of the country. You will be asked to declare cash and other valuables when entering and leaving the country. Just make sure you balance it correctly.

Credit/Debit Cards
Ukraine is a cash economy. Some businesses do accept credit cards and travelers checks. To avoid possible fraud (which is definitely possible), it is best to limit credit card use to the better hotels, Western-style restaurants, airlines, and a few select stores (such as big chain stores or supermarkets). Many stores have credit/debit card scanners but most shop assistants would not know how to run your credit card, since most are only trained in how to use those scanners on debit cards. You can withdraw cash from your bank via any ATM machine which are in abundance. Just remember there will be a charge for currency conversion and possibly some fees, depending on your bank and the ATM you are using. However, if pressed for cash, it is a viable option.

Transportation
You can get around by flying Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) or taking one of the many trains that crisscross the country. In cities, you can hire taxis, but negotiate a price before getting in the cab. If not, you will probably pay more than necessary. Still, it will be less than what you are probably used to in the US. In Kyiv, there is also a large subway (Metro Underground) system. The Metro runs from 6:00 AM to midnight and the cost per ride (regardless of destination) is 50 Kopeks, or about 10 cents US. You can also purchase a day pass.

Medical Care
Medical care is limited in Ukraine. Many doctors require cash payment for their services and your medical insurance may not be accepted. The quality is also not on par with US and so most missionaries typically go to Finnland or Germany for serious maladies.

Drinking Water
Tap water is chemically safe, but due to lead in the pipes, it is best to only drink bottled water.

Radiation Concerns
Many travelers to Ukraine are concerned about radiation due to the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant over 20 years ago. In most areas of the country background radiation levels are normal (except for the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone). To be safe, do not eat wild mushrooms and berries. Instead, purchase them at a market in the city.

Electric Appliances
The electrical standard in Ukraine is 220 volts, 50 Hz. A converter and Eastern-European plug adapter with two circular metal pins will be necessary to use electrical appliances.

Note: If you are a traveling professor, please share your trip experience/tips with others and write us about it.