Michigan Farm Bureau Ukraine Study Tour 2013 Sept. 7/8 16, 2013 - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Michigan Farm Bureau Ukraine Study Tour 2013

• Sept. 7/8 – 16, 2013

AgriTours Canada / Real Ukraine

So you’re going to the Ukraine….

Agriculture in the Ukraine - Videos

Farming in the Ukraine – Investment video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt8z3bW9_P4 Alpha Farm – typical leasing and crop sharing.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIgJ1PYzEAc
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_det

ailpage&v=CIgJ1PYzEAc

• North American perspective of Ukraine Agri-Potential
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRazTn2oJUU

• Credit cards work in most places in the Ukraine,

however, it is best to have two options – MasterCard and Visa are most acceptable throughout Ukraine.

• Currency Exchange can be done at the hotels and in

Kiev on Day one of the trip. Time and location will be provided to change money.

• Don’t keep all your money in one place!
• Medical Insurance card – keep two copies in case

needed, and also leave one for family at home.

• Currency is the Ukrainian Hryvnya or credit cards.
• 1 USD = 8,09 UAH – this rate may fluctuate

Breakfast included at all hotels – consist of many similar things as in the USA: breads/toast, yogurts, fresh seasonal fruit, granola cereal, boiled eggs, some locations will have bacon and eggs, coffee/tea/juice. Lunches and dinners will include:

• Vegetable Salad (tomatoes/cucumbers) or soup during

lunches, Main course, Dessert, Tea/coffee, Bottle of water Beverages: Beer and Wine, milk, soda/pop is also at extra fees and not standard with meals.

Things we remind our groups while on tour!

A traveller’s philsophy!

Unlike Vegas, what happens in the Ukraine does not stay in the Ukraine.

– An official study tour is like a small trade mission or ambassador group – you represent your entire country, not just your state or province. – People you meet get an impression of your entire society by your actions – both good and bad – the reverse is also true. – Your actions influence the responses you get in return. – The country you are visiting is influenced by their history. – The people you meet are genuinely proud of their accomplishments. – What you learn while on tour will influence your path in the future – it is a life-changing opportunity.

Michigan Farm Bureau – Things you need to know!

• You are a foreigner in a strange land:

– Don’t bring or wear any clothing or footwear that have been worn in your barns, around livestock, in greenhouses, etc. – Liquids are not advisable – however if bringing alcohol (gifts)

• r maple syrup, etc., make sure it is bubble wrapped and in a

sealed bag in your checked baggage. – Do not bring and wear gaudy or expensive jewelry, sun glasses

• r other items that might attract the attention of thieves.

– Your American style of dress will be noticeably different from most Ukrainians, and as such you might be targeted – do not go out alone at night, stay in groups and tell somebody where you are going before you go out! – Don’t buy items or exchange money from street vendors or people who offer you great deals – you might get cheated! – Always be aware of who is around you in public places.

Michigan Farm Bureau – Things you need to know!

• Consideration # 1 – When in Rome

do as the Romans do ? To a point!!!

– You are NOT going to Rome! You may observe that people in the Ukraine drink a lot of Vodka – and this is one thing to be wary of while visiting some locations. Participate Carefully! – Be aware of your surroundings at all times! Unlike in America, you’re not on familiar ground and you may run into situations you’ll not be able to talk your way out of, since your Ukrainian language skills, probably suck! – You have a guide who is both your Tour guide and your cultural

• guide. She is a V.I.P. in your life for the time you are in the

Ukraine – treat her as such and you will have a valuable ‘leg up’ should you need help, advice or guidance on the tour. – Your driver is your 2nd best friend – he guards the bus & all your belongings while in the bus-he may NOT speak English!

Michigan Farm Bureau – MORE Things you need to know!

• Consideration # 2 – Observe

EVERYTHING and be aware of your surroundings at all times!

– While in the Ukraine: 1. You will see some amazing cultural and agricultural locations. 2. They are unlike most things you will have seen in your life before. 3. Experience the difference! – Listen and learn – question things you don’t understand through Mila Yashchuk your guide OR the city guides who will be with you during city tours. No question is a bad question. – While at Agricultural Enterprises – be careful NOT to go out of the areas where you are allowed to go – there might be some hazordous areas OR areas with sanitary restrictions . – Photographs can be taken in ALMOST all locations – always ask the guide if you are unsure or before going onto the site.

Michigan Farm Bureau – Be thoughtful and respectful!

• Consideration # 3 – Respect of

another culture is not only important, it is helpful while on tour!

– Whenever and wherever you go in the world, you receive better responses from your hosts when you are both polite and respectful of the people you meet while visiting them. – Even though you might see something that you think is archaic, incorrect, poor quality, etc. compared to where you come from – remember, this is where they are in their history and their development – it is their reality! – Remember you are the guests of the people you are visiting. They are proud of who they are, of their facilities, animals, machinery, equipment, etc. Think how you would feel if in their position and consider their feelings as if you were them.

Passports – What you need to know, do and be prepared for!

– Remember your passports – make 2 or 3 photo-copies of the important pages in your passport with your photograph and pertinent information.

• Give one copy to your MFB group leader.
• Keep at least one copy in a separate location in your

luggage away from your original passport.

• Leave one copy at home with family members.
• In case of lost or stolen passports, this photo-copy

may speed up replacement of lost passports. – Guard your passports and never leave them in an exposed pocket, purse or hand bag – theft can occur. – At night, if there is a safe in the room, lock up your passport and reserve money not immediately needed. – Always check & empty your safe before departing hotels

Packing for your trip – What you need to bring!

– Remember, only bring what you absolutely NEED. Too

• ften people over-pack and regret the weight and

cumbersome nature of their luggage (& airline charges).

• Pants and slacks can be worn 2 or 3 times during this

trip so long as they do not get stained. Bring 1 or 2 pairs of jeans, 2 or 3 ‘good pants’ that are not jeans for evening meals and for official meetings.

• Shirts and blouses – long sleeved shirts will likely be

needed, but one or two short-sleeve shirts will be OK for those hotter days in the southern areas.

• Layers are important – bring a small back-pack

which you can carry a lightweight jacket and sweater in, as well as your camera, small unbrella and water.

• Shoes – 3 pairs are the MOST you should need.

Good walking shoes, closed toes, treads, waterproof.

Packing for your trip – More things you need to bring!

• Undergarments – approximately 2 days wear each.
• Socks – fresh pair every day – consider your fellow

travellers on the bus.

• One heavier warm jacket or overcoat in case the

weather turns cold. Wear this onto the plane to avoid weight in your suitcase, store in overhead bin.

• Toiletries – men, is your electric razer compatible

with 220 volts? Women – most hotels have hair dryers, but not curling irons – if you bring one, be sure it’is 220 V compatible and for travel (foldable).

• Do not bring curling irons that are heated with gas

cartridges, they are dangerous on aircraft.

• Adapters – 110 to 220 – round pins

Packing for your trip – still more you need to bring!

• Medications split into two separate packages.
• One nicer outfit for the day you are meeting their

government representatives.

• Money belt – some men carry spare cash inside

money belts that look like normal belts.

• Chargers for your electrical equipment – be sure

they are designed for 220 V or they burn out.

• Computers/tablets – 220 V adaptable – WiFi

available at all but one of the hotels.

• Cameras and storage medium – 8 Gb or more.
• Gifts for places you will visit. There are 17 locations

you are visiting but in some places, more than one gift is sometimes needed at some locations.

• Mila Yashchuk

project manager at RealUkraine/Dykun

• Tour Guide for MFB

Office Tel: 011 38 047 444 67 56 Mila’s Cell: 011 38 067 470 17

• Mila’s personal cell 90380975512171
• Magic Jack account 0103150477.

• Day 1 - From Detroit to Amsterdam is an
• vernight flight – sleep at least 1/2 the flight.
• Although very tempting, avoid drinking too

much of the free alcohol – you will pay for it the next day, it disturbs your sleep at altitude.

• Get up and move about at least every hour or

so to avoid blood pooling in your lower legs.

• Bring an eye mask, listen to soothing music.

• Day 2 - Eat flight breakfast even if you don’t feel

hungry, get in sync with time zone and meals ASAP!

• Amsterdam to Kiev is couple hours more, the

connection involves a great distance between gates in Schipol Airport - stay with the group.

• Have your passport and second flight tickets ready.
• Once in Boryspil Airport, stay together until ALL

luggage is gathered and group is ready to exit.

• Inside terminal, your guide will have a sign.
• You board transfer bus for drive to Kiev and Hotel.

• Do you have an old Blackberry or I-phone that you

can get ‘un-locked ’? SIM Cards for Europe can be purchased at some AT &T service providers and also purchased in Kiev.

• If you wish to stay available for calls in Ukraine and your cell

phone supports standards GSM 900 or GSM 1800, a prepaid package can be purchased. The package contains a Sim-card - a chip for plugging into the phone and a voucher for the prepaid time. You can add funds to your phone account by purchasing new vouchers.

• These packages are sold widely

Mobile Phone Networks in the Ukraine

• There are several companies serving cellular connection in Ukraine:
• UMC - National operator of cellular connection. Standard: GSM 900
• Kyivstar GSM - National operator of cellular connection. Standard: GSM

900/GSM 1800

• DCC - covers Kyiv, Odesa, Crimea, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrivsk,

Zaporizhzhya and some other regions of Ukraine. Standard: D-AMPS

• Golden Telecom - covers Kyiv and Odesa. Standard: GSM 1800
• WellCom - Kyiv only. Standard: GSM 900
• Beeline - covers some Ukrainian regions. Standard: GSM
• Life:) - covers some Ukrainian regions. Standard: GSM

Internet in the Ukraine:

• Internet is developing fast in big cities of Ukraine. Plenty of cyber cafes and

clubs provide Internet connection at 1-2 USD per hour. Some hotels offer Internet connection in the rooms, in the room via Ethernet network usually. It is recommended to keep a twisted-pair Ethernet cable with RJ-45 connectors with you if you plan to connect your laptop to the hotel network.

• Wireless (WiFi) is available but not at all locations.
• Dial-up access is about 0.50 - 1.00 USD/hour. Usually, connection speed is a bit

slow and depends much on the quality of telephone line. In some cases, Internet access is barely possible if using an old-fashion analogous phone line.

• When bringing a laptop in Ukraine, prepaid time cards for Internet access can

be used. These cards indicate login, password, connection set-up details and phone numbers for dial-up access. Internet cards can be purchased at computer shops and news-stalls.

Internet in the Ukraine:

• Cellular phone operators provide wireless Internet access as well, GPRS

and EDGE. The service is about 1.00 USD per MB. It can be easily arranged with a cell phone of GSM 900 or GSM 1800 standard with built-in modem and a device for hooking up the cell phone to your laptop (cable or infrared port). The connection is quite slow but good enough for using while traveling.

• I-Pads and other tablet forms of communication are being seen more and

more in urban centres but in rural regions, such devices often have trouble connecting with local analog telephone systems and Wifi is not a common form of internet connection ins many rural regions at this time.

• Hotels often have business centers that are hooked up to the internet but

depending on the location, sometimes these are very busy and tough to gain access to. Early mornings are often less busy – check hours first.

• Sept. 8 - Your toughest and longest day and this

day it is best to go to bed as early as possible.

• Sept. 9 – Day 2, you will need to be sharp and

attentive for PR reasons when with government

• fficials – try to avoid falling asleep in meeting.
• Culture shock will hit in Day 2 and 3, after that

you will get more comfortable, jet lag will fade.

• Translations may not be 100% understandable, so

listen carefully, ask if you are unclear on meaning.

• Sept. 10, 11, 12 – Intense days, lots of visits and

lots of travel – early starts, late arrivals.

• Sept. 13 – This day you can relax a bit as it is not

quite so intense – late dinner again – eat lightly.

• Sept. 14 – Another long day, large business visits.
• Sept. 15 – More relaxed – enjoy the culture –

flight back to hotel near the airport (not in Kiev).

• Sept. 16 – Very early departure – sleep on flight

to Amsterdam. Transfer in Schipol for US flight.