Ukraine Overview

In late 2004, Ukraine’s Orange Revolution brought international attention to the country. President Viktor Yushchenko and his administration have since enacted important reforms; however, a muddled Ukrainian political climate has slowed the rate of change. Today, Ukrainians are divided over their own identity: this internal struggle to reinvent and yet retain traditions can make Ukrainian culture confusing to navigate. Don’t be surprised if a desk clerk and a website provide two different prices for a room, and don’t expect anyone outside Kyiv to speak much English. Despite these inconveniences, Ukraine is captivating. Whole cities are under renovation, and the energy of revitalization spills over into the streets. If you can get past the almost complete lack of tourist infrastructure, Ukraine can be a beautiful and adventurous place to travel.

• Essentials

Official Name: Ukraine. Capital: Kyiv. Major Cities: Lviv, Odessa, Sevastopol, Simferopol, Yalta. Population: 45,994,000. Land Area: 603,700 sq. km. Time ...more

• Beyond Tourism

For more info on opportunities across Europe, see Beyond Tourism, . Jewish Volunteer Corps, American Jewish World Service, 45 W. 36th St., New York City, NY 10018, USA (☎ +1 212-792-2919, www.ajws ...more