Communication in Ukraine

I wanted to write a post while in Ukraine about the best ways to communicate in case it could help other families who are still preparing to go.

There are ways to communicate with home but they are different from the U.S. They are not 100% reliable and there were times when we had to scramble to find a way to get through to others but it can be done.

Here are some options:

Cell Phones: These are rather cheap. I gave the one that we bought as a group for the kids over there to Wendy to pass along to other families. These cost about $25-30 in Ukraine. They need to be charged and you need to buy a SIM card which is also pretty cheap (about $5.) You buy them according to how many minutes you want to call out to other phones. Your phone number is determined by the SIM card that you use instead of the actual phone. Calls between 2 phones with SIM cards that are with the same company are free and incoming calls are free and don't use minutes. The most popular company is MTC.(pronounced MTS) If you look for a small red sign that says MTC you can go there to buy a SIM card and usually a phone. You can buy a new SIM card or add more minutes to your existing one at most banks or at kiosks in front of Grocery stores. Your facilitator can show you how to do this but if you only really use the phone to call each other and recieve incoming calls you won't need to do this too often. Calling the US with a cell phone will quickly take all of what is on the SIM and you probably won't be able to finish your conversation. Sometimes the circuits are full and the calls won't go through. Sonya said that she tried all morning to reach us one time and the call wouldn't go through. The best way to communicate with the US is through Skype. Some facilitators will provide you with a cell phone to use while in Ukraine. Our facilitator Kostya had phones for us when we arrived but we had already brought one from home. It is important to have one so that you can communicate with the facilitator.

Skype: You can call any phone and even text using your computer with Skype. Many apartments in Kiev offer free internet (you have to make sure that you request it) or you can buy a portable internet device that operates with a SIM card like a cell phone. You can refill the minutes on this device as you need to but they won't evaporate very quickly unless you try to download movies which will wipe you out very quickly. Skyping from Ukraine to the US is a lot cheaper than Skyping from the U.S. to Ukraine for some reason and so if you plan to skype your family at home at a predetermined time (when they are awake) you will save money. Over all, this is the most economical way to communicate and actually be able to hear their voices and talk as normal. There is not the irritating delay or any real problems with this method. It is great to hear the family at home (Beware: you will get homesick)

Internet: Of course emailing is free and we really enjoyed blogging our adventures so that our children (some married and living in different households) and friends could hear the latest news and our feelings while in Ukraine. (Although we only blogged the mild version of what we went through.) We found time to email and there were no real problems with email as there can be with trying to get through by cell phone.

You are welcome to call me and chat about any questions you have before departing to Ukraine. My phone number in the US is 435-232-8900.