Living abroad, I’ve become more than just a student but an informal ambassador of Ukrainian culture. Ukraine is more than just a place on the map; it’s traditions, history, flavors, sounds, and emotions I try to share with the people around me. It’s easy to blend in in a multicultural environment, but it’s even more exciting to stand out. And I do this through small but meaningful things: food, music, traditional clothing, and everyday conversations.
Ukrainian Cuisine That Wins Hearts
Food is a universal language that everyone understands. It brings people together, no matter their culture or background. That’s why I often cook Ukrainian dishes for my friends and acquaintances. One day, I made syrnyky—fluffy, sweet cottage cheese pancakes served with sour cream and jam. My friends were skeptical at first: “Cheese in pancakes? Really?” But after the first bite, they were hooked. That was my cue to tell them about the importance of dairy in Ukrainian cuisine and how syrnyky are a childhood favorite for many Ukrainians.
Syrnyki: Cottage cheese pancakes I made with my friend
Another time, another Ukrainian student cooked varenyky (dumplings) and invited us to try them. She made savory ones with potatoes, and later, we told everyone that you can also make sweet ones with cherries. The reaction? Pure delight! Some of my friends even wanted to learn how to make them, so maybe someday we will gather in the kitchen for a little dumpling-making workshop. Ukrainian desserts also amaze people, especially Roshen chocolate, Beehive candies, and Chokolapky, which are completely new flavors for them, and they love discovering them. I also tell them about traditional holiday dishes like kutia for Christmas or paska for Easter.
Music That Opens the Soul of a Nation
Ukrainian music is another great way to introduce people to our culture. While many know about mainstream Ukrainian pop artists, the real treasures of our music scene remain unknown to foreigners. One evening, I played a song by Schmalgauzen, and my Irish friends immediately reacted: “What is this? It’s so unique!” They were fascinated by the blend of jazz, folk, punk, and electronic sounds—something they had never heard before. We ended up discussing the uniqueness of the Ukrainian music scene and its diversity.
Another time, I played music by Nazva—their instrumental folk-inspired compositions created a very special atmosphere. That led to a conversation about traditional Ukrainian musical instruments, such as the bandura and the tsymbaly. Music isn’t just entertainment—it’s a bridge between cultures. It conveys emotions without words and helps people understand the soul of a nation.
Symbols That Tell a Story
Another way to introduce people to Ukraine is through what I wear. Traditional Ukrainian clothing and accessories always catch people’s attention and spark curiosity. I often wear sylianky—ancient beaded necklaces that Ukrainian women once wore as protective amulets. They always draw admiration: “Wow, this is beautiful! What does it mean?” That’s when I explain the traditions of Ukrainian folk attire and how colors and patterns carry symbolic meanings.
Sylianka: Me wearing a sylianka that I madeAnd then there’s my vyshyvanka (embroidered shirt). The first time I wore it, I explained that the vyshyvanka is more than just clothing—it’s a whole code of Ukrainian culture. Each region has its own unique embroidery patterns, and the ornaments themselves hold deep meanings: protection, prosperity, love.
A Language That Unites
I’ve noticed that foreigners are very interested in the Ukrainian language. When I speak my native language on the phone, my friends often listen and say, “It sounds so melodic!” Sometimes, they even ask me to teach them a few words. And do you know the first thing they learn? “Slava Ukraini!” (Glory to Ukraine!) That “lesson” always touches me. I explain that Ukrainian is one of the oldest and most beautiful languages in the world. I tell them about the unique features of our grammar and how we have words that don’t exist in other languages.
A Cultural Bridge Between Nations
Living abroad has taught me that the best way to tell people about Ukraine is to simply be myself and share my culture through everyday little things. Every bowl of borsch, every Ukrainian song, and every embroidered symbol on a vyshyvanka—it all tells a piece of our story, making it more familiar to the world. And every time my friends say “Slava Ukraini!”, I realize that Ukraine now lives not only in my heart but also in the hearts of those who have learned more about it.
-By Yelyzaveta Shakhova, Ukraine
International friendship: International students at a hurling game.