The Ukrainian Education Center (UEC) exists to promote a living faith in Jesus Christ by meeting educational needs in Ukraine. As a part of our mission, we want to offer all qualified Christians an opportunity to serve the people of Kyiv through a one-year internship. The UEC will coordinate the work of interns and assist them in finding their place in a local church.

There are three tracks in our internship: campus ministry, children's ministry and English outreach. Read our interns' newsletters as they record their experiences in Ukraine. Consider joining us for an exceptional experience.

Internship FAQs

Who is eligible?
What will I do as an intern?
What might a typical week look like?
What preparations should I make?
When does the internship begin?
Who will guide the internship?
What are the costs?
Where will I live?
Do I have to know the language?

Who is eligible?

Anyone who has completed at least his or her junior year of university-level education and is an active member of a local Church of Christ. Also, all interns must have completed some kind of missions training. Successfully completing Let’s Start Talking training satisfies this requirement. Other cases will be looked at individually.

What will I do as an intern?

All interns are expected to enroll in Russian or Ukrainian language classes with a private tutor (unless the intern already has substantial knowledge of Russian or Ukrainian). You will learn basic grammar and survival vocabulary so that you can live a relatively independent life. The classes normally meet 2 to 3 times a week.

Interns in our campus ministry track will be able to:

- work in a local university

Many local missionaries work in Ukrainian universities to contribute to the development of higher education in Ukraine and to share Christ with students. Interns with advanced degrees may be able to teach full courses; others can help students with their English or assist a missionary in his or her classes. All of these opportunities allow the intern to build relationships with and share their faith with students.

- assist in our outreach to English-speaking students

The UEC hosts a number of events—from Movie Nights to English classes to book discussions—designed to meet educational needs and share our faith in Christ. Much help is needed in this area. There are so many students who need a Christian friend, someone to lead them to Jesus. All of this outreach is led by members of local churches and is designed to build up the local body of Christ.

- lead evangelistic Bible studies

One-on-one studies can be conducted with English-speaking students who may have participated in a summer Let's Start Talking project. Group Bible studies can be led in partnership with a Ukrainian Christian. The most effective groups are those in which genuine relationships are formed, enabling the sharing of one's life and the gospel which transforms lives.

Interns in our English outreach track have the opportunity to:

- teach one-on-one conversational English classes using the Bible as a text

Let's Start Talking pioneered this effort among Churches of Christ and we have found it to be very successful in serving Ukrainians in Jesus' name. The UEC facility will serve as the site for these sessions. The intern will have the possibility to follow up on Let's Start Talking teams that work through a number of Kyiv churches. Through the UEC, the intern can assist a local church in follow-up from their LST project.

- work in a local university

- assist in our outreach to English-speaking students

Interns in our children's ministry track have the possibility to:

- teach English and share their faith in local schools

Many schools are very open to Americans teaching American culture, American history, and English. This aspect of the ministry will allow the intern to minister not only to children but also to teachers and administrators of the local school. No special degrees are required—only a deep love for children.

- assist with children's ministry in local churches

Ukrainian Christians are already developing children’s ministry in local churches. Interns can assist and encourage this process, offering new ideas and also learning from the work of their Ukrainian brothers and sisters.

- coordinate follow-up with and assist the work of summer camps and children's Bible schools held in the summer

World Wide Youth Camps is involved in reaching out to summer camps not far from Kyiv and several local churches host events something like American vacation Bible schools. An intern could also assist a local church in developing Ukrainian-style summer outreach.

What might a typical week look like?

Sunday is, of course, a day of church meetings. Some Kyiv churches meet in the morning and some in the evening. Sunday afternoons are normally spent relaxing from the busy week or taking a stroll throughout the city. Monday through Friday you will find yourself involved language classes two or three days a week for two hours, several one-on-one Bible studies for those in the English track, and most nights during the week you will be busy with small group meetings and outreach to university students. Some time will be spent at the UEC just getting to know those who use the center's services. Saturday is another day to relax (in theory), but you'll often find yourself visiting with church members or planning outings of some kind. It's also a good day to do laundry and go to the market!

What preparations should I make?

The challenge of ministry in Ukraine is great. Interns need to be ready to meet this challenge by preparing themselves mentally and spiritually.

When does the internship begin?

We encourage all interns to come to Ukraine as a part of a Let's Start Talking team. When your team leaves Kyiv, your internship begins with the UEC. Kyiv is best in the spring and summer. Making the move in the winter is not advised.

Who will guide the internship?

All interns will be guided by the director of the UEC, Chris Lovingood, and Monica Moreland, the assistant director. We will help you every step of the way, laugh with you and cry with you. We will assist you in setting up your schedule, your language classes, and will help you find your place in one of the local churches. Every intern must recognize their responsibility to cooperate with and submit to the directions of the UEC board and Kyiv director.

What are the costs?

The costs are somewhat dependent on the intern. Airfare to Ukraine is about $1,000 (roundtrip). There is the possibility of a three-week Christmas/New Year break. This visit doubles the cost for airfare. Monthly living expenses (in a one-room apartment) for an intern are about $700 a month and if the intern is not covered by their parents' health insurance, another $100 a month is incurred. For a twelve-month stay, an intern needs to raise about $9,600. This amount is the minimum amount. The UEC hopes to be able to assist interns with some of their financial needs. This will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Please do not let the daunting task of raising funds prevent you from sharing Christ with Kyiv.

Where will I live?

At this time, the UEC facility does not accommodate housing. There are two main options available: living by yourself in an apartment or renting an apartment with an English-speaking Ukrainian Christian. The UEC will help you find an apartment and, if desired, attempt to match you with a Ukrainian Christian. Apartments generally have a small kitchen with stove and refrigerator, a toilet room (WC), a bathtub/shower room, and one or two other rooms. A one-room (excluding kitchen and bath) apartment is much cheaper than a two-room apartment. Three-room apartments are available but much more expensive.

Do I have to know the language?

For the English outreach track, knowledge of Ukrainian or Russian is not necessary. For the children's ministry track, an interpreter may be used sometimes, and if teaching in schools, one can use English. All interns will be required to enroll in Russian or Ukrainian lessons with a private tutor.