Voyaging a long way from home, Diana Kimak decided to accept her school nomination and travel with Flex to continue her junior year in Neenah.

The Flex program according to Discoverflex.org, run by the U.S. Department of State, enables participating countries to have students receive a merit-based scholarship to immerse themselves in American culture.

Kimak originates from a large city in Ukraine called Chernivtsi. Reaching Neenah grounds, she was thrilled as she entered through NHS doors on Sept. 2 along with 2,000 other adolescents. 

Kimak originates from a lifestyle where she attends school five times a week similar to here in America. One thing she was not expecting was the amount of homework she does and the types of classes she is able to take. Kimak explained that unlike at NHS their class schedule is chosen for them with no electives.

“There is much, much, much more homework in Ukraine, I maybe would spend 3,4 or 5 hours a night in one sitting.”

Being able to dress more informal to school as well as work in a group setting are among the differences Kimak does not mind. She noted that in Ukraine there is a much more formal style of clothing expected to be worn in schools. Additionally maybe once a week, there would be collaboration with her classmates out of all her classes, whereas here collaboration is a key part of learning.

As she becomes more and more familiar with life here in America, the weather becomes not so familiar. Kimak commented that a Ukraine winter does not get much colder than the 30s confirmed by World Weather Online with the occasional sprinkle of snow. She knows that it is only going to get colder and longs for a warm sunny beach on the blustery cold days.

Although there are more similarities than differences between the cultures and lifestyles, Kimak did not expect anything more or less of how daily life in America is.