What topics are the most pressing for Ukrainian students? How do they solve them? How do they feel about the current realities? The Day polled Kiev- Mohyla Academy National University students in various departments. This was, of course, not a representative sample, for only those who wished filled in the questionnaires and those preferring to stay anonymous were guaranteed confidentiality.
The questionnaires contained six questions about education, occupation, immigration, family, marriage, and ways to participate in political life. There were 89 respondents in all. After processing their commentaries we came up with what we think is a collection of interesting views on today’s most widespread trends in the student community.
NO BOUNDS TO PERFECTION
It is an axiom that a modern young career-oriented individual needs a better quality post-secondary education, broader theoretical knowledge, and practical experience. Our first question read:
“Are you satisfied with the current level of education you are receiving? What changes do you think should be made in Ukraine’s educational system?”
63% of the respondents stated they were satisfied; 19% were not; 18% said they were not quite satisfied.
Among those satisfied, more than 50% stressed that they like the Kyiv- Mohyla Academy standard; they believe that they are enrolled in one of Ukraine’s best universities, where Ukrainian is the language of instruction, admittance relies on a progressive system of tests, including computer ones, and the liberal arts principle is upheld (a student is free to choose courses, albeit with certain restraints), and no bribe- giving or taking. Incidentally, venality is what over one half of the respondents mentioned as the main problem of domestic higher learning. They are sure that combating this vice requires the institution of an admittance system like that of the Kiev-Mohyla at all Ukrainian institutions of higher education, as well as “use of most severe sanctions against corrupt bureaucrats in the educational sphere and teaching staff.”
The most positive aspect of the Ukrainian educational system is, in the respondents’ opinion, its being “flexible, giving an impetus to individual development.” Also, the professional level of the teaching staff and high theoretical training standard.
Simultaneously, students believe that perfection knows no bounds, hence a multitude of censorious remarks and suggestions in the questionnaires, all aimed at improving the educational system. Most concern the absence of “systemic instruction strictly in line with one’s major (e.g., scattered knowledge).” Also, “no information about the actual domestic situation with regard to a specific occupation/professio”; “the educational system still relies on materials dating from the late 1980s”; “lack of the system and fundamental approach inherent in the European educational system.”
Among the changes the students think should be made in the Ukrainian educational system are: inclusion of practicing experts in the institution’s teaching staff, so the students can have enough theory and practical experience; higher procedural standards; broader use of information technologies; availability of quality textbooks; student participation in shaping the curriculum, allocating more academic hours for practice, so as to get the knack of one’s specialty; and business games. A fourth year student majoring in political science wrote that “three steps must be made in the national educational system: (a) raising material security; (b) rooting out corruption; and (c) encouraging innovations, upholding transparency, and experience exchanges.”
The dissatisfied respondents mentioned inadequate requirements in a number of disciplines and cultivating the principle “education by bankroll, not talent”; abundant “irrelevant or unnecessary information, passing up important or interesting knowledge”; unpopularity of technological training, so that the students’ level does not correspond to that of the teaching staff, with the reverse picture in the humanities lacking professional teaching staff.
RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS
After receiving an education, a young individual invariably wants to know how to use his knowledge most effectively, quickly, and to that individual’s best advantage. Our next question was:
“Would you like to start your own business or be a highly qualified employee? Why?”
58% of the respondents were all for running their own business; 28% seriously considered getting well-paid jobs; 12% wanted to have a good look around first, get a job, and then give private business a try. Only one respondent preferred running a household: a young lady, of course.
Those wanting to have a business of their own explained:
“Of course, having a business is more reliable if one goes about it the right way. Besides, one can help the country’s economy.”
“You run your own business and take orders from no one.”
“You can reveal your creative skill and remain more or less independent.”
Running a private business attracts young people as an opportunity to make their own decisions and use their property as they see fit. Getting a job means having to take orders from your boss, something that does not always pay off in this country. An important factor is the reluctance to work for anyone but oneself, to be ordered around with the attendant dressings down and other unpleasant experiences. Many pointed out that a desire to run one’s own business should be attributed to one’s traits, primarily a talent for leadership.
Those skeptical about their effectiveness as leaders thought that a good job was what they really needed. Below are several characteristic comments.
“I’d like to be an employee, because it’s more in my character. I think I could make an ideal assistant manager and that this would help me reveal my total potential.”
“I wish I could get a well-paid qualified job. There would be less responsibility and this would spare my nerve cells.”
The fair sex made up over 50% of those preferring employment. “I am a woman and my family will always come first; if I have a private business it must come first to make it profitable.”
Some were hesitant about starting a private business due to lack of experience and practical skill; above all, they were held back by the unfavorable business climate in Ukraine.
“I would like to have a private business, but not at this stage of rampant fiscal and other bureaucracy. Under the circumstances, getting a well-paid job looks much more promising.”
“When running your own business, the joy of better living is overshadowed by the headaches of countless problems and bandits on both sides of the law.”
A number of respondents were still uncertain, pointing out that both options had their advantages, finally settling for getting jobs with other firms, so they could accumulate experience and eventually start in business on their own.
For many getting a job in their specialty was very important, although they realized that the intellectual business is underdeveloped in Ukraine. Few wanted to work for state structures, because they would not be able to respect themselves as professionals, not with the token money they would receive as salaries.
Returning to that young housewife, what she actually wrote was, “I would like to be a housewife and have an opportunity to communicate with my family, because women in Ukraine live for the most part like slaves.”
“I LOVE AND BELIEVE IN UKRAINE”
Mounting unemployment, especially with regard to the younger generation, limited opportunities to work in one’s field, no conditions for self-fulfillment — all this prompts many a young man to think of leaving Ukraine, either to get a job or permanent residence. One student admitted that leaving this country was her number one problem. And so the third question was meant to ascertain the students’ attitude toward immigration:
“An increasing number of young people, among them scientists and scholars, are leaving this country to find jobs abroad. How do you feel about this? Where would you like to live and work?”
The anonymous poll allowed an ample degree of sincerity. 40% of the respondents wanted to live and work abroad; 48% turned out patriotic-minded and 12% regarded the problem philosophically, rejecting neither option.
Among the factors making young people want to leave, most respondents mentioned the fact that no one seems to want experts in Ukraine, just as no one can earn a decent living staying on the right side of the law; self-fulfillment is so difficult it has become almost wishful thinking, and even the “authoritarian society tending to crowd out individuals aware of the ongoing social process.” A most characteristic commentary is: “The sad fact remains that Ukraine lacks conditions for the development of top professionals. For this reason I can by no means blame people leaving this country. Personally, I want to live and work in Ukraine.”
Some students would like to study and work for a while abroad, then return and work in and for Ukraine. Most, however, would return to Ukraine “if the economic and social situation stabilizes.”
Among the countries they would like to immigrate to most mentioned the United States, Canada, Germany, and Switzerland, followed by other European countries: Sweden, Finland, and Greece. And even the exotic name of Nepal figured.
Although less than half the respondents were patriotic, these young people will build Ukraine’s future — and they are only too well aware of the fact.
“Yes, you can study abroad, but you should live and work in Ukraine, because you are a patriot and you want to help this country.”
“I’ll stay in Ukraine. Strange as it may seem, I love my country.”
“I disapprove of immigration. I want to work in Ukraine, even if I’m paid less.”
“I love and believe in Ukraine.”
Young people also understand: “Living abroad is great, but who needs you there? No one is waiting for you, and you can find a place in the sun only by the skin of your teeth. So living and working in Ukraine (having a well-paid job, of course) is not such a bad idea.”
An absolute majority of the respondents agreed that the state should provide civilized working conditions to make youth want to live and work in Ukraine, instead of feeding do’s and don’ts and otherwise getting in the way. “People should see that life is getting better thanks to their work.”
Answers to the third question once again showed that the state is faced with a most serious problem; experts must be preserved, especially younger ones.
“POLITICS TAKES COURAGE AND A LOT OF LIFE EXPERIENCE”
Quite a few political scientists have pointed to the younger generation’s progressive indifference to politics of late. Our question was:
“Do you see any real opportunities for your participation in the domestic political process?”
A mere 12% replied they did not care for politics and wanted nothing to do with it; 41% were not averse to take part in the political process, but saw no real opportunities; 3% saw “a lot of opportunities” and 3% believed there were some opportunities, not many; 9% thought their participation in elections and referendums was quite enough.
Seven percent of the respondents linked their future career with politics, of which 5% saw themselves professional party activists; 4% predicted they would contribute to Ukraine’s political life through volunteer organizations; 6% said it was quite possible they would take part in it, and 3% would prefer to keep a low political profile, yet try to do something useful. Interestingly, only 3% were determined to fight corruption and clannishness, explaining that “it’s very difficult to overcome the political elite’s clannishness and venality.”
The students pointed to the following real opportunities of their participation in political life: election activity (if one is sure the whole thing is not rigged); conscientious approach to the election campaign, which takes knowledge of the nuts and bolts of politics; activities in non-governmental nonprofit organizations; on-the-job training in legislative and executive bodies; along with political and market analysis.
However, a large percentage planned a nonpolitical career or would have nothing do with politics, believing it to be a dirty business (“I want to keep my hands clean, and it’s best to keep clear of it if you can’t fight for a piece of the political cake known as power”).
Yet even those who did not see themselves as political market operators (at least not at the moment) did not rule out the possibility of such involvement in the future. “Well, I might take a serious interest in politics someday, but it would take courage and a lot of life experience.”
LIVING TOGETHER: FREEDOM OF CHOICE
Students’ answers to the fifth question proved very interesting, for the demographers in the first place.
“Are you for the traditional family or maybe you would not object to options like living together? Why?”
Almost 50% of the respondents showed they were anything but conservative in their attitude toward marriage and family. 47% favored the living together option; if not in that condition, then at least professing it. The number of those supporting the standard marital union turned out only about half as many: 29%, while 27% were ready to try either.
Most of those favoring living together, however, pictured their own family along the conventional lines, explaining, “it’s my parents’ tradition.”
The need to have a conventional family was attributed to upbringing, morality, and historical tradition. The following are the most interesting comments.
“I support the traditional family, it’s how I was brought up.”
“Traditional family, because it has been tried and proved by centuries.”
“Yes, the family should be only traditional, because the family is the first source of morality.”
Many considered living together a perfectly normal phenomenon, so long as it provided normal conditions for the children’s mental and emotional development. “The main thing is an atmosphere of harmony, not the form. Official marriage can’t guarantee this,” wrote a 19-year-old student majoring in psychology. Most respondents supporting the option pointed out that the traditional family is often a fence isolating it from the rest of the world; living together offers one freedom of choice, maintaining constant interest; one feels free to live with one’s partner for so long as there is love between them, otherwise they just drift apart without any material claims. Analyzing their comments, one is led to believe that the main reason for cohabitation, in most cases, is people’s reluctance or inability to assume legal family obligations and responsibilities.
Most of those opting for both kinds of marriage would like to experience the looser union first and then have the traditional family, of course. Their commentaries showed a rather broad range.
“I would like have a traditional family, but first spend a year or two living with a man I really love.”
“The traditional family is necessary to raise your children the right way. But if a couple is happy living without a marriage certificate, let them enjoy themselves.”
“I am for the traditional family — when children come.”
“I think there is absolutely nothing wrong with living together. It has proven effective, but one must know when to stop.”
SELF-FULFILLMENT: THE KEY TO SUCCESS
The sixth question was meant to bring out the priorities in the life of the student community.
“What is the most important thing for you now? A well-paid job? An opportunity for self-fulfillment (career)? A solid family? A chance to make your life happier (good recreation, comfortable home, interesting hobbies, etc.)?”
The respondents actually stated their life credos. Most (52%) gave preference to the capacious notion of self- fulfillment; 27% pointed to a well-paid job; 7% preferred a solid family and a happier life — “I want it all!” One could infer from this that either these young people are not on the mercantile side (highly unlikely), or (much more likely) they are well aware that self-fulfillment is the only way to get a well-paid job.
Consider are several characteristic suggestions.
“For me fulfillment and family come first.”
“An opportunity for fulfillment in the presence of a solid family.”
“Being paid well. I want to support my parents and have enough left to build a family.”
“Everything is important, but a good salary is the least important thing.”
And two more commentaries on the highest priorities which we found especially interesting.
“An opportunity to come home and disengage from outside troubles.”
“Being an optimist.”
P.S.: The Editors wish to express special thanks to the Kyiv-Mohyla student newspaper Kolega (http://www. kolega.kiev.ua), Iryna Bilashko, head of the Kyiv-Mohyla’s Public Relations Department, and to our volunteer expert Iryna Kotyk, winner of the Public Forum contest, for their assistance in preparing and conducting the poll.
