This Day in Our Center

An amazing picture taken by somebody from English Speaking Club activities, like in 3D. 

English Speaking Club with Matt M. celebrates Vinnytsia Day

Introductions

· Together with your partners, try to rank the best 10 cities in Ukraine. Please consider all aspects of life in the city, including education, work, safety, the environment, museums, cultural life, entertainment, etc. 

· Are you a fan of extreme sports? Are there any extreme sports you would be willing to try? Which ones would you never try under any circumstances? 

· Who was the best boss you’ve ever had? Who was the worst? What made them so good/bad? 

Discussion Topic: Vinnytsia Day
1. In your opinion, what are the main advantages of living in Vinnytsia? How do you think our city compares with other cities in Ukraine? In Europe?
2. Are there any disadvantages or problem areas in your opinion? What should be improved to make life better for the citizens of Vinnytsia?
3. Do you enjoy the major holiday events that happen in our city (Day of Europe, Day of Vinnytsia, etc.)? What changes would you make if you were the organizer?
4. Do you think there are adequate educational and work opportunities in Vinnytsia?
5. Do you have a favorite place or building in our city? How would you describe the architectural style of Vinnytsia?
6. Do you think that people from Vinnytsia are more or less proud of their city than people from other cities? How can you know?
7. What changes do think we will see in Vinnytsia 10 years from now?
Group Contest
Can you guess the city rankings?
Organize your own ‘Vinnytsia Day, but with a very small budget…
What should Vinnytsia be famous for?

Our Schedule 
Tuesday, September 11 – 1730 Library
Thursday, September 13 – 1730 Library
Saturday, September 15 – 1030 Library
Visit Our Group on www.Facebook.com – English Club in Vinnytsia
English Club Blog - www.woavinnitsa.blogspot.com

All Parts of Ukraine in Our Window

The librarians participating in a project on a library design from various parts of Ukraine took their chance to visit our "Window on America" to get to know more on its functioning. It is a real patchwork of impressions and ideas. 

 The head of the Department of Literature in Foreign Languages Olena Diachuk told about a unique collection of books and not only... Guests were interested in a variety of activities hold in the Center. 

 This day in WOA is really active engaging more and more students into future meetings. 

Kennan Institute Grant Opportunities and Internships, 2012-2013

The Kennan Institute will conduct the following grant competitions for the upcoming program year.

For information on how to apply for a Woodrow Wilson Center Fellowship, please see here.

Kennan Institute Title VIII-Supported Research Scholarships

Kennan Institute Title VIII Research Scholarships lasting three to nine months are available to academic participants in the early stages of their career (before tenure) or scholars whose careers have been interrupted or delayed. Application deadline: December 1, 2012.

Kennan Institute Title VIII-Supported Short-Term Grant

Grants do not exceed one month's duration and are available to scholars whose research in the social sciences or humanities focuses on the former Soviet Union (excluding the Baltic States). Only U.S. citizens are eligible for this quarterly grant competition. Application deadlines are September 1, December 1, March 1, and June 1. Note: Short-Term grants for Russians, Ukrainians and other non-US citizens have been suspended until further notice.

Kennan Institute Summer Research Scholarships

These grants last for two months and are available to U.S. citizens with a M.A. degree or higher, and whose research in the social sciences or humanities focuses on the former Soviet Union (excluding the Baltic States). Application deadline: December 1, 2012.

Fulbright- Kennan Institute Research Scholarships

Fulbright-Kennan Institute Research Scholarships are available to scholars from Russia and Ukraine to conduct research for six months in the fields of the humanities and social sciences. Preference is given to applicants whose research informs discussion of key public policy issues, enhances development of scholarship in the former Soviet Union, and fosters communication between the world of scholarship and the world of public affairs. Deadline for Ukrainian applicants: October 15, 2012.

Galina Starovoitova Fellowship on Human Rights and Conflict Resolution

The Fellowship is a three-month or six-month research grant available to prominent scholars and policy makers from the Russian Federation who have successfully bridged the worlds of ideas and public affairs to advance human rights, the rule of law, conflict resolution, the free press, and civil society. Application deadline: TBA.

Internships with the Kennan Institute

The Kennan Institute offers paid research internships for undergraduate, graduate, and prospective graduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Each intern works with a scholar in residence at the Institute over a period of three to nine months. Applicants should have a good command of the Russian language and ability to conduct independent research. This internship offers a flexible schedule of 15 hours per week and a metro subsidy for conducting off-site research.

For more information, application guidelines, and deadlines, please see the Kennan Institute website.

MORE: http://www.wilsoncenter.org/program-publications/Kennan%20Institute

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education

Welcome To EducationUSA

EducationUSA is a global network of more than 400 advising centers supported by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) promotes mutual understanding between the United States and other countries through personal and professional ties between private citizens in the United States and abroad, as well as by presenting U.S. history, society, art and culture in all of its diversity to overseas audiences. U.S. and foreign students alike can prepare for leadership roles in today’s world through an international education /http://educationusa.state.gov/

More: http://www.youtube.com/user/educationusatv?feature=results_main

                http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-fEyg0Bfkc

Labor Day as an American Federal Holiday

Labor Day is an American federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September (September 3 in 2012) that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers. In 1882, Matthew Maguire, a machinist, first proposed the holiday while serving as secretary of the CLU (Central Labor Union) of New York. Others argue that it was first proposed by Peter J. McGuire of the American Federation of Labor in May 1882, after witnessing the annual labor festival held in Toronto, Canada. 

Oregon was the first state to make it a holiday in 1887. By the time it became a federal holiday in 1894, thirty states officially celebrated Labor Day. Following the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military and U.S. Marshals during the Pullman Strike, the United States Congress unanimously voted to approve rush legislation that made Labor Day a national holiday; President Grover Cleveland signed it into law a mere six days after the end of the strike. The September date originally chosen by the CLU of New York and observed by many of the nation's trade unions for the past several years was selected rather than the more widespread International Workers' Day because Cleveland was concerned that observance of the latter would be associated with the nascent Communist, Syndicalist and Anarchist movements that, though distinct from one another, had rallied to commemorate the Haymarket Affair in International Workers' Day. All U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the territories have made it a statutory holiday. 

Labor Day has come to be celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer. In high society, Labor Day is (or was) considered the last day of the year when it is fashionable to wear white or seersucker.

In U.S. sports, Labor Day marks the beginning of the NFL and college football seasons. NCAA teams usually play their first games the week before Labor Day, with the NFL traditionally playing their first game the Thursday following Labor Day. The Southern 500 NASCAR auto race was held that day from 1950 to 1983 in Darlington, South Carolina. At Indianapolis Raceway Park, the National Hot Rod Association hold their finals to the U.S. Nationals drag race.

In the U.S., most school districts that started summer vacation in early June will resume school the day after this day (see First Day of School), while schools that had summer vacation begin on the Saturday before Memorial Day in late May will have already been in session since late August. However this tradition is changing as many school districts end in early June and begin mid-August /http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labor_Day/.

Read More: http://www.theholidayspot.com/laborday/

English Club on "Day of Knowledge"

Introductions

           End of Summer 

· What was the best thing that you did this summer? Are you sad to see the summer end? Are you happy that Fall is beginning?

· Did you have one summer in your life that was the best? Maybe when you were a pupil or student? How would you use your time if you had the whole summer free?

Discussion Topic: Day of Knowledge

1. When you were a pupil, did you look forward to the first day of school? Were you happy or sad when it was time to go back to classes?

2. Are there any subjects that you wish you had studied better when you were at school? Are there subjects that weren’t interesting to you then that are interesting to you now?

3. Which subjects at school were the most challenging for you?

4. For those who have graduated from the university, how much do you use the knowledge you gained there in your day-to-day life?

5. If you had to go back in time, would you choose a different program of study?

6. How important is it for a person to have a good education?

Group Contest

Who can come up with the best idea?

Our Schedule 

Thursday, September 6 – 1730 Library
Saturday, September 8 – 1030 Library
Visit Our Group on www.Facebook.com – English Club in Vinnytsia
English Club Blog - www.woavinnitsa.blogspot.com