"I was coming home from school in 1998 in Sumy and got stopped by the police, who wanted to see my documents, which I left that day in my apartment. They handcuffed me and took me to the police station, though the arresting officer lived on my street and knew who I was. At the police station I had to wait for about 90 minutes until two officers came. One of them was a translator and told me that not having my papers was a grave offense. What they didn’t know was I have a contact/friend who told me to call him whenever I had “ANY” issue with anybody including police. I called him and 10 minutes later someone with substantial police rank came in shook my hand and apologized for the entire mix up. I was then driven home and four officers escorted me to my apartment."
RPCV Daniel Burke has been living in Ukraine for 11 years
Meet Daniel Burke
Apr 16 2008, 19:57
Cultural Studies and European History teacher at Kyiv International School
© Courtesy photo
Place you call home?
Boston, MA.
Time in Ukraine?
I have been living in Ukraine for 11 years.
What do you do for a living?
I am a Cultural Studies/European History teacher at Kyiv International School.
What brought you to Ukraine?
I came to Ukraine in 1997 as a Peace Corps Volunteer and lived in Sumy until 1999. I was an English teacher at Gymnasium No.1.
Your first impression of Ukraine?
I am going to love this place! And I still do!
Your funniest moment in Ukraine?
I was coming home from school in 1998 in Sumy and got stopped by the police, who wanted to see my documents, which I left that day in my apartment. They handcuffed me and took me to the police station, though the arresting officer lived on my street and knew who I was. At the police station I had to wait for about 90 minutes until two officers came. One of them was a translator and told me that not having my papers was a grave offense. What they didn’t know was I have a contact/friend who told me to call him whenever I had “ANY” issue with anybody including police. I called him and 10 minutes later someone with substantial police rank came in shook my hand and apologized for the entire mix up. I was then driven home and four officers escorted me to my apartment.
Your favorite places (ways) to spend free time in Kyiv?
I like going to Pechera, the best Lebanese restaurant in Kyiv, watching American football in the fall at the “boat”, watching Dynamo Kyiv play, going to Jeff Egan’s dacha and trying to get discounts at Besarabskiy Market which is nearly impossible no matter how much I try!
What’s your idea of a perfect weekend?
Going for long runs, weekends at the Broderick’s house, going to the banya, food shopping at Mega Market and beating Burton Chamberlain in tennis!
What’s the key to success in life?
Always believe in yourself!
Your biggest pet peeves?
George Bush, the mayor of Kyiv, driving and parking on the side walks in Kyiv, and without a doubt going to the post office to pay bills!
How would your friends describe you?
Positive, enthusiastic, good sense of humor, intense and insane for running outside in the winter.
What was your childhood dream?
To become a state police trooper
Favorite movie?
“Goodfellas.”
Favorite author?
Robert D. Kaplan.
What’s your favorite music?
I like to listen to Moby, Maroon 5, Chemical Brothers, Okean Elzy, Vopli Vidopliassova, Mumiy Troll and Zemfira.
What are the best places you’ve traveled to?
Yemen, Egypt, Croatia, Sicily and without a doubt Tent City during the Orange Revolution, especially in the Sumy section!
