The following interview is re-printed from the Centre for Ukrainian Canadian Studies newsletter with the express permission of the CUCS and Marian Hasiak herself.
The CUCS faculty, staff, and volunteers reached out to Ms. Marian Hasiak, doctoral student from Lviv Polytechnic National University at the end of April 2020. Mariana came to Winnipeg at the beginning of January of this year, for a term of study related to her research. She took classes in Peace & Conflict Studies as in support of her research, which also involved meeting a variety of people in the Winnipeg community. Ms. Hasiak intended to return to Lviv immediately following classes at the beginning of April. Covid-19 intervened and so Mariana is still here, not safely able to return to Lviv. We connected with Mariana to ask more about her research and how she is keeping herself occupied while in Winnipeg.
1. Can you please tell us more about the research that brought you to Winnipeg?
My research is devoted to the formation of an inclusive education environment for war veterans at higher school. During my research I am going to explore theory and best practices for assisting former military personnel and their families to re-integrate into civilian society and particularly the role that access to higher education might play. The aim of my visit was to get exposure to Manitoban and other Canadian experiences in this area and how they may be adapted to the Ukrainian context. During my term at the University of Manitoba I was able to take two courses in Peace and Conflict Studies and to meet professionals working in the field of inclusion as well as those connected to military. The cooperation between the University of Manitoba and Lviv Polytechnic National University, my home university, started more than 20 years ago, so I am happy to be a part of this ongoing process.
2. How did you find yourself still in Winnipeg now at the end of April?
It was not actually my choice. The situation around COVID-19 interrupted both my study process and my plans of going back home to Lviv at April, 6. There was one flight to Ukraine at the end of March. At that point I hadn’t finished my classes and the situation looked pretty unsure. I was really hoping everything would be fixed and get back to normal soon. But it did not happen. I have realized I am not a risk-taking person at all. I would not be the one taking dangerous chances or lets say not completely safe flights to Ukraine, as well as navigating Ukraine in the current situation of strict quarantine limitations there.
3. How do you feel about that?
Everyday feels different to be honest. News from Ukraine and all over the world can be overwhelming sometimes. The uncertainty of when I will be able to get home is also quite challenging. Today social media is creating a picture of ongoing development and improvement during the quarantine. It puts pressure on me. Every time I am “wasting” time I feel like I am not doing well enough, not meeting criteria I created by myself under the influence of beautiful images. Therefore, I am trying to negotiate my relationship with media these days, limit reading or watching news to once per day, and staying connected to my relatives and friends. Finally, the spring has come to Winnipeg and it really makes me happy.
4. How are you managing to pass your time while here?
For now, I am staying at the same place I used to stay while studying and have amazing people supporting me here. I have finished my U of M courses, so I can use and incorporate some of gained knowledge into my research. With both my Canadian and Ukrainian advisors, we managed to establish ongoing online connections, and it really helps to move on. However, I am not only working here. The lady I am living with owns a large library of great books I am able to read and discuss them with her. This is an amazing opportunity to open something really new for myself. I have also started taking a few online courses I was dreaming of taking. It was supposed to be more like entertainment, but it appeared to become an inevitable part on my way to myself. I have even started to do some cross stitching. Speaking literally about your question, I can say that I really treat time differently now. I do not need alarms; instead, I can listen to my body, I can appreciate every minute of reading or talking to someone without rushing. This is something I am really grateful to have; this level of safety I have in these uncertain days.
5. What are your greatest challenges?
I am not used to life without a schedule. My life was full of events I wanted/needed to attend, people I was meeting, work I had to do. And now it feels more like: “Is it really something I want to do? Is it making my life full? Does it bring me happiness?” Even though my life was full of amazing interesting things, I have realized some of those are not things I really want. Being distanced from close people I have got a chance to really fix the most important relationship I have in my life, the relationship with myself. Now I am thinking on who I am, what is my mission, what is the spiritual component of my being. These all are not easy. All the routine of busy everyday life is gone and this silence is really challenging. Sometimes I am just filling that gap with movies, books, or phone talks, but sometimes I’m really taking a step back and trying to find answers within myself.
You might see I am really concentrated on myself these days. Although I am talking a lot of inner peace, all the important issues connected to COVID-19 as well as my status in Canada, options to return home, the safety of my loved ones, and my own remain there in my mind.
6. Can you share a moment or two that surprised or inspired you?
Although I knew about a strong Ukrainian community in Winnipeg, I was really surprised to meet so many Ukrainians or people of Ukrainian ancestry and to have some great conversations. I would say, it made me look at Ukrainians and Ukraine quite differently.
These days I am touched with the care and support I am surrounded with. A lot of people from Ukraine were really attentive asking about my safety, as well as people here in Winnipeg. Some of those I met only once or twice before, but they are checking in and staying in touch all this long quarantine time. I also highly appreciate the work of U of M units, who were and still are providing me with ongoing support, the Centre for Ukrainian Canadian Studies and International Centre in particular.
Also, I do not know what spring usually looks like in Winnipeg, but seeing all the families together walking or biking is really inspiring to me. And I am actually positively surprised how people still are able to keep the distancing. I think this is something, that teaches both children and adults that we all are in charge of our lives and safety of our community local and universal.
7. Do you have any tips or advice you can offer others in a similar situation?
I am sure everyone is living these unexpected and unique experiences differently. My advice would be that everyone takes care of themselves, finds the ways to support loved ones and things that bring joy. Internal peace is something we need not only during quarantine life, but everyday. For those who are lucky to have a safe place and to stay healthy (as much as it is possible these days) I just wish to use this time for (re)finding that internal peace. I am sure we will all need it after coming back to new “normal” life. Please, take care of yourselves and stay healthy!
