Expat Advice: Relationships in Vinnitsa, Ukraine

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Vinnitsa

What is your current status? Are you single, dating, in a long-term relationship, married or divorced?

Married with two children.

What is it like in your country of residence for someone with your relationship status (married/divorced/dating)? If you're single, how do you meet other people? Do English-speaking people tend to gravitate to certain parts of your city?

I am black and my wife is white (Ukrainian) so as a result it could be hard sometimes. I would be very glad to see some improvements in the way some people relate to us.

If you have children, what advice would you give to others making a similar transition to your country of residence?

I would advice foreigners to be prepared both mentally and emotionally for racial intolerance because you would be reminded very often that you are not one of theirs and that you really do not belong.

If you are married or in a relationship with a person of another nationality, how has this experience enriched you as a person. What kind of challenges do you face?

Being married to a person of another nationality brings some challenges in the form of difference in opinions because we were brought up in different ethnic and cultural background. But I have gained a lot by learning from my wife's rich culture and tradition.

What would be the best advice you could give someone with your relationship status that lives in your country of residence? Any other thoughts?

The best advice I could give to someone with my marital status that lives in Ukraine would be to draw nearer to God. I and my wife are both Christians and by studying the bible God has thought us to be more tolerant, forgiving, caring and loving. We have been married for over six years and these have wonderful years.