Matvii Pais is a Ukrainian refugee. He came to the USA 3 years ago with his mother and father. Matvii was a resident of Ukraine during the war. He remembers how the bombs were dropped only 50 miles from his house, and drones with explosives were flying all around as Russia continued to bomb civilians. On his way to the United States, he stayed in many other countries, including the Czech Republic, Germany, and Poland. Then, after 2 days of nonstop travel, they landed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and soon after moved to Cambridge.
He enjoys playing football, tennis, and the saxophone. He performed the Ukrainian anthem at Culture Day last year, and as an audience member, I can testify to the stunning beauty of that song. Matvii strongly values hard work and education. He strives to do his best and never gives up. He used to do gymnastics from the age of 4 until he left Ukraine, and still does Speedcubing – solving a variety of Rubik’s cubes. At CIHS, Matvii plays linebacker on the football team and wears number 32. His favorite Ukrainian dish is borscht, a slightly sour red soup made with beets, cabbage, and other veggies, served in a meat or vegetable broth and topped with sour cream and dill. His favorite American food is Culver’s famous butter burger.
He described Ukrainian schools as being strict with a strong emphasis on discipline, academics, and respect for teachers. Students address teachers formally, as this reflects their culture’s respect for authority and education. His mom was an English teacher there, and she was called Yuliya Valentynivna – a polite form that has her first name and a patronymic (a name derived from the name of her father). Everything is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with one failing and 12 being extraordinary. Homework is taken seriously, and both teachers and parents closely monitor academic performance. Matvii said he used to spend 2–3 hours on his homework daily. In American schools, he likes that there is not much homework and that the teachers are very friendly.
Though the family structure in Ukraine is similar to that in the United States, most Ukrainian families have one or two children due to economic and social factors. The families are usually small, and many have extended family living with them as well. It is still not common, but it occurs much more often in Ukraine than it does here. Ukrainians have a vibrant history, culture, and family traditions. Matvii said that they value modesty, hard work, and close family ties, and they tend to be more reserved and formal when first meeting others.
Matvii noted that in the USA, we tend to sugarcoat or be fake in public, unlike in Ukraine, where people are genuine and straightforward. They tend not to beat around the bush and will tell you exactly what they think. They are still extremely polite and friendly. Ukrainians are honest and kind people who will always show up for you when you need them, valuing deep trust and long-term relationships. Matvii is a strong, kind, and disciplined person, and he is looking forward to building his future in this country.
