Photo: Roman Tyshchenko-Lamanskyi
Jeremy Stokes, from the suburbs of London, has been teaching English at Lviv’s Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) for a year. He graduated from the University of the Arts in London after completing his studies in art photography. The United Kingdom calls on all its citizens to leave Ukraine immediately. Nevertheless, Jeremy says that instead of panicking, it’s better to realise in which sphere everyone can be useful.
«I’m not panicking, not planning to go now, but I’m always up to date with the news. I understand that I am in Western Ukraine, so everything will be fine with me and the people here even if the worst scenario happens. Instead of panicking, it’s better to understand what you can do in your life. So I decided to stay here to contribute to my job and the society,» – Jeremy says.
After Brexit, the UK can now give Ukraine more support than the EU, Jeremy claims.
«Notably, it’s due to Brexit that the UK is now free to help Ukraine. It seems that America and Great Britain are trying to play a bigger role in this conflict than the EU and Germany,» – the photographer adds.
In the United States, media make money from sensational news, but US citizens themselves are panicking over this, Jeremy thinks. According to him, everyone should decide personally whether to go or stay.
«I think the UK is halfway between Europe and the US. For example, US news is very sensationalised – it makes money. There is panic in the overseas states many miles away. On the European continent, people have a better sense of reality. They may share their concerns, but they know that things would be fine. I think this tends to be the British attitude. If you are willing to go home – go, you feel the need to stay – stay. It’s the position of my friends and family,» – the man says.
Describing Lviv, Jeremy names it a charming, cosy and cultural place. In UCU, most people speak English well, although without the knowledge of Ukrainian it’s hard sometimes to satisfy his communicational needs, the English teacher says. For Jeremy, this is the longest time he spend outside of the UK, and he misses his homeland, family and friends. But at the same time, the fact that he stays here for so long makes him see it as a positive experience. In particular, he notes that the way of everyday life is less restricted with the legislation, although there is a lot to improve on the state level.
«In the West, your life is more regulated on the lower level of your interactions. There is law, so you have to obey, which sometimes is good, sometimes not. In Ukraine, I think it’s more good with that. But on the higher level, you can make changes easier sometimes in the West compared to here.» – Jeremy says.
Roman Tyshchenko-Lamanskyi, Vitalii Holich
You can read a Ukrainian language version of this story here.
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Lviv Now is an English-language website for Lviv, Ukraine’s «tech-friendly cultural hub.» It is produced by Tvoe Misto («Your City») media-hub, which also hosts regular problem-solving public forums to benefit the city and its people.
