"Slovakia and Ukraine have common features, but people here are more sincere, frank and friendly" - Matej Masaryk

Every year, lots of guests come to Uzhhorod National University, including teachers and students from different countries of the world. Today we are talking with a senior lecturer of the Department of Slovak Philology, PhD Matej Masaryk.

Mr. Matej has been working at the department since the beginning of the academic year and this is new experience for him. He was born in the north of Slovakia, in the picturesque town of Zhilina, studied Slovak and English in the western part of the country – in Nitra, and later completed his doctoral studies in Bratislava. At first, when he was a post-graduate student, he taught  Slovak literature and defended his Ph.D thesis on the same topic. This year he has come to UzhNU to share the European experience and, at the same time, to get acquainted with our city.

- Mr. Matej, could you tell us how you got to UzhNU?

- After finishing my PhD course at university, I heard about a competition for the position of a lecturer in Ukraine. I decided to apply. The topic of my PhD thesis was very helful since the department needed a specialist in literature. However, today I am teaching Slovak as a basic normative course, as well as other couses in modern and post-war literature.

- Is there any difference between Slovakian  and Ukrainian students?

 - People are very similar, because we all live in Europe. If we speak about the human factor, people in Ukraine are more open, sincere and good-natured. In the city of Bratislava people are more restrained, perhaps this is due to the fact that the city is bigger and it’s also the capital. Students are always different. This can be observed everywhere – their levels of knowledge are different. However, Ukrainian students amazed me, since their level of training is high, despite their young age. The level of Uzhhorod students is not lower than those from Bratislava.

- Do you mean that the age difference affects the level of perceprion?

- In Slovakia, schoolchildren, after completing their studies, go to gymnasiums, so they come to the university at the age of 20-21. On the one hand, it facilitates the teaching process for teachers, because their students are already conscious, mature. Therefore, I was surprised to see Ukrainian students who came to higher education institutions at the age of 16-17. It was a new thing for me and it made me change the way of communication a bit, because I hadn’t had such experience before.

- What does the trip to Ukraine mean to you apart from interesting experience?

 - Firstly, I had some prejudices about Ukraine and now I’m happy to have put all pieces of the puzzle together. Secondly, here I have the opportunity to tell others about the Slovak culture and teach the language. It plays an important role, because here I am a representative of the Slovak Republic. Speaking about students, it’s useful to speak foreign languages and learning them from native speakers is a good experience. I am convinced that I can help students to understand the business they are engaged in better, transfer my culture and history which is very important. Of course, it is worthwhile to travel around the world and broaden your horizons.

- Did you have time to get acquainted with the city?

- Yes, a little. Even my parents came to visit me and we had the opportunity to walk around the city. We visited Uzhhorod castle and the scansen. In fact, I managed to dispel certain myths that are common in the western part of Slovakia, where I come from. I didn’t hear anything special about Ukraine before, only a few things: cigarettes, cheating or something of the kind, mainly negative for some reason. My opinion has changed dramatically since I came here. I like the people and the atmosphere of the city. However, I immediately saw fundamental differences between the roads. "Marshrutkas" were another novelty for me.

Have you been pleasantly surprised with anything while working at the department?

 - The library of the department became a pleasant surprise for me. I can see the work done by the previous lecturer who worked very well and created the fund which is needed both for teachers and students. I want to emphasize that most of all I was pleased with the students who speak Slovak well. Of course, their pronunciation requires correction, but that’s what they are studying for. The main thing is that I see their efforts, I can see students' desire to improve not only their communicative skills, but also general knowledge of Slovak literature and history. This is the most important thing, as for me. For example, students of 3-4 years of study undergo training at the level of students from Bratislava. That is, after graduating, they can easily compete, because they have the load of knowledge and necessary professional terminology.

- Matej, what about exchange programs or semester-long training for students, do you think it’s important?

- I have already learned that exchanges are common practice for UzhNU and not only for the students of the Philological faculty. This is really very important, because it brings not only benefits but also pleasure. It is necessary for students to develop and move towards the realization of their dreams and beliefs. However, teachers should also take such opportunities. For example, I am very pleased that I can work as a foreign lecturer for students, because I am convinced that this will help them in learning.

- Have you encountered any difficulties, was it easy to adapt?

 - It is clear that coming to Ukraine as a tourist is different than being engaged in teaching activities here. First of all, there’s a language barrier, since I do not speak Ukrainian. Although there weren’t any problems with students duting classes. As a teacher, I'm still adapting, because I'm learning the university system. I like the beginning of my work at Uzhhorod National University and I am determined to work here for four years. I would very much like to visit Mukachevo, there are plans for Lviv, Kyiv and, of course, the sea. I am curious about Ukraine and I don’t know if I have time to see the whole country, but I’m sure that I’ll get to know Transcarpathia better.

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