Host Intro: Getting an opportunity to visit different countries and travel the world is an experience no one would want to miss out on. And for most children of immigrant parents living in the U.S., it’s an even rarer opportunity to visit their parent’s home country. Ava Xie spoke with one lucky student to share her experience of what her family’s home country was like before being riddled with war.
Track: I’m here today with Sophia Makhno at Baruch college to share her experience visiting Ukraine, a country her family originated before they immigrated to the U.S. Sophia was excited for her first visit to Ukraine but was also filled with anxiousness as it was her first time traveling internationally.
Act: Sophia: It was the first time that I’ve been on a plane, and I didn’t think I would be nervous, but after the fifth hour on a plane. I started freaking out.
Track: Despite her nervousness, she noted that her most memorable times in Ukraine were visiting places and areas her parents grew up in and reminiscing over how things they were once familiar with no longer existed.
Act: Sophia: I got to know the area that both my parents grew up in and see how their lives were like. I remember we were driving, and my mom was like, ‘that used to be like a supermarket’ and it just changes. It’s crazy how when time goes by, everything changes.
Track: She also shares a variety of food she ate, both from restaurants and at her grandparents’ place, and gave recommendations on foods for people to try.
Act: Sophia: A lot of the restaurants served American style food and mostly I would have traditional Ukrainian food with my grandma or great-aunt from my parent’s side. The main thing I would recommend is pierogies or olivier which is a really good salad.
Track: Sophia ends the interview with her overall experience and thoughts on the trip and is hoping to travel more in the future.
Act: Sophia: Overall, I had a really exciting time there and I would go again to visit. Honestly, it’s a shame because Ukraine is such a beautiful country and even though the economy is very poor there and a lot of people live in poverty, it still has its own culture and diversity there. And because of the war, it’s a shame that it would be getting destroyed. It was nice knowing where my family came from and that it’s part of my heritage and I want to continue to embrace it. I want to travel anywhere around Europe with my friends or my family.
Outro: Despite the situation Ukraine is currently facing, it is a country that many others like Sophia and her family have fond memories of. We hope to have more people share their stories and experiences of their or their parents’ home country. For Baruch College, I’m Ava Xie and thank you for tuning in.