A global perspective… (on the Coffs Coast)

This year, our community welcomed three inspiring educators from Ukraine, working in schools and with the NGO Learn and Teach UA. I hope you enjoy their reflections on the landscapes, communities and experiences that made their time in Coffs Harbour so memorable.

Yullia (Teacher Kharkiv)

Yuliia has a busy family of four who live in a cosy house with a small backyard where they grow various plants, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and cabbage. Her favourite food is dumplings with a variety of fillings (potato, cherry, cabbage), and borsch. When she is at home, she enjoys listening to music and watching Turkish TV series. Yuliia has been teaching online for four years due to the invasion and the need for her and the school children to be safe. Their school is above ground, and this is not a safe place for children to learn. This is Yullia’s first time travelling internationally.

Impression of our Coffs Coast

“ Coffs Harbour is a beautiful coastal paradise, surrounded by tropical greenery, green mountains and the brilliant blue of the Pacific Ocean. With every breath, you can enjoy the incredibly fresh air.”

A quote from her experience

“Thank you so much for this incredibly warm welcome. People are so incredibly friendly, kind and we have already found so many wonderful things to talk about. They have made me feel right at home. I also have to mention friendly pets and dogs Barkley and Thelma—they are so funny and active! I am  looking forward to spending fantastic time together.”

Viktoriia (Head of the Board of Learn and Teach UA)

Viktoriia has been working in the education sector for almost nine years and has experience as a journalist, as editor-in-chief of one of the largest education media outlets in Ukraine, and as a Communications Manager at the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. She was also part of the team that designed Ukraine’s school reform, which is now being implemented nationwide. She loves traveling, and is a big animal lover, especially cats. 

Impression of the Coffs Coast:

I was surprised by the hot weather during the winter and, of course, by the ocean. Moreover, I saw kangaroos for the first time in my life, and I was so happy at that moment.

Also, I would like to share my impression of BDC. The school environment is so healthy, kind, and supportive. Every student is respected not only by teachers but also by their peers. And it’s so wonderful to see how proud the school is of every student’s achievement - whether academic, artistic, or sporting. Furthermore, I noticed that the school places a strong emphasis on the students’ well-being. In Ukraine, schools focus more on academic achievements, which is why I was excited to learn more about well-being programmes and approaches.

Iryna (Project Coordinator Learn and Teach UA)

This is her first time travelling abroad and she was very excited about this experience. Food favourites at home include chicken, vegetables, fruit, cereals, bread and baked goods, and she enjoys sweets. At home, Iryna likes calm activities such as walking, watching films, and spending time relaxing. When visiting Australia, she has loved seeing the beach, going for walks, and exploring our area and meeting people.

Experience at BDC

Iryna: “My experience at BDC has been incredibly positive and inspiring. I have been impressed by the welcoming atmosphere, the strong sense of community, and the care shown to students. It has been a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas, learn from Australian colleagues, and build connections that I hope will continue long into the future.”

Yullia, Viktoriia and Iryna have all been a key part of teaching classes, presenting to staff and our leadership team about life in Ukraine and some fun facts from their global perspective.

Leaving the final word from Yuliia:

“During my visit to BDC, the aspect of teaching and learning that stood out to me most was the digital technology and interactive classroom practice. Students get to explore various fields such as cooking, music, practical art, sport allowing them to discover their true potential. BDC provides opportunities to develop students’ skills in different ways.”

In a time when we are connected easily across the globe and when our youth think about discussing or taking action on issues affecting our world, the experience and perspective from our international visitors of Australia is important to consider and also within a context.

When we feel connected to family, friends, our school and our workplace, we can also use this connection to create a more balanced view of the world and that perspective is important in the way we each live our life every day and the role of creating a world that is better, peaceful and sustainable for everyone's future. We are fortunate to have our beautiful Coffs Coast with a caring community that welcomes domestic and international guests as examples for our children. Thank you if you have been a part of a large group that has contributed to our service projects and cared for our visiting guests from Ukraine.