Q and A meeting

Today’s session of the GABFEST speaking club (at Window on America center Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine) had a visitor from the US State of Rhode Island. 
The Fulbright academic exchange lecturer, Business Professor Heidi Allen who will be lecturing in English in the National Mining University within 6 weeks, told about her lifestyle, travels and food preferences, shared her first impressions of the city and answered on numerous questions from club members.
Mrs. Heidi was impressed to see well-know the Dnieper river embankment, where she went jogging as well as in the large Taras Shevchenko Park (which is on the right bank of the river) and on Monastyrsky Island and was amazed to see high level of Ukrainian interest in outdoor sport activities the same as in the US. Club members recommended to visit places in Dnipropetrovsk where can be enriched her knowledge about the city and suggested “what is worth trying” in Ukrainian cuisine and drinks. And the conversation drifted into the discussion on kitchen and gardens across America and particularly the state where Mrs. Heidi lives and comparison between Ukrainian and American vegetables and fruits which people grow their own. There was mentioned a big difference regarding Ukrainians. Having summerhouse is not only to have a break from polluted city but also very hard work and preparation for wintertime in order to grown their own plants, can vegetables, store them in a cool, dry, dark drawer or bin, make winter jams.
Then, discussion was about traveling. And guest was highly advised to visit Western Ukraine in order to experience varieties of traditions, events with folk costumes, tendency to use Ukrainian language.
Professor told about traveling experience around the World. The journey began when Mrs. Heidi`s family moved from Germany, it was at the very early age. Being adult, Mrs. Heidi had more trips and even found a book “how to travel for 10 usd” . And as a joke mentioned that now there is a book with the same title but “… for 100 usd”.
In the past, Mrs. Heidi had a chance to live and work in South Korea where so many high-tech devices weren’t as now, and country wasn’t as rich. Living in a small city, she was only American and children followed her on a street repeating all the time “American, American…”
Mrs. Heidi also has her own blog where she uploads photos of Ukraine for her American students so as to give them more information about the country and share her thoughts about culture and new experience to encourage them to visit it.
Today`s session was the Q&A. The Gabfest visitors had a chance to practice English communication skills, had a “small talk” with a native speaker and have a lot of interest in future meetings with Mrs. Heidi.
The session full of communication was enjoyed by all participants. We hope for further friendship and cooperation with Mrs. Heidi Allen.

(text by Yulia Sobolevskaya)
The number of participants – 23 persons.

Have a look at more pictures, please