1 Table of Contents About Kyiv ..................................................................................................................................................... 2 History ....................................................................................................................................................... 2 Entertainment ........................................................................................................................................... 2 Climate ...................................................................................................................................................... 3 Modern Kiev .............................................................................................................................................. 3 State holidays ................................................................................................................................................ 3 International Time ........................................................................................................................................ 4 Transportation .............................................................................................................................................. 4 Rail Information ........................................................................................................................................ 4 Subway ...................................................................................................................................................... 4 Communication ............................................................................................................................................. 4 Post Office ................................................................................................................................................. 4 Phones....................................................................................................................................................... 4 Medical Facilities ........................................................................................................................................... 5 Money ........................................................................................................................................................... 5 Exchange rates .......................................................................................................................................... 5 Credit Cards............................................................................................................................................... 5 Prices ......................................................................................................................................................... 5 Other ............................................................................................................................................................. 6 Business Hours .......................................................................................................................................... 6 Electricity................................................................................................................................................... 7 Etiquette ................................................................................................................................................... 7 Check list (Dont forget to bring.) ........................................................................................................... 7 Way from the airport ................................................................................................................................ 7 Ukrainian Words and Phrases ....................................................................................................................... 8 Ukrainian Numbers ................................................................................................................................... 9 Visas to Ukraine .......................................................................................................................................... 10 About LC ...................................................................................................................................................... 11 Contacts .................................................................................................................................................. 11 AIESEC in Kyiv, Ukraine | office.kyiv@aiesec.net | Pr. Peremohy 54/1, of 515
About Kyiv History Kiev is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. Kiev is an important industrial, scientific, educational and cultural centre of Eastern Europe. It is home to many high-tech industries, higher education institutions and world-famous historical landmarks. The city has an extensive infrastructure and highly developed system of public transport, including the Kiev Metro. 2 The name Kiev is said to derive from the name of Kyi, one of four legendary founders of the city (brothers Kyi, Shchek, Khoryv and sister Lybid'). During its history, Kiev, one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe, passed through several stages of great prominence and relative obscurity. The city may have been founded in the 5th century as a trading post, perhaps part of the land of the early Slavs. It gradually acquired eminence as the centre of Rus civilization, becoming in the tenth to twelfth centuries the political and cultural capital of Rus', a semi-feudal confederation of Slavic principalities to the east of Poland. Completely destroyed during the Mongol invasion in 1240, the city lost most of its influence for the centuries to come. It was a provincial capital of marginal importance in the outskirts of the territories controlled by its powerful neighbors: first the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, followed by Poland and Russia. The city prospered again during the Russian industrial revolution in the late 19th century. After the turbulent period following the Russian Revolution of 1917, from 1921 onwards Kiev was an important city of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, and, from 1934, its capital. During World War II, the city again suffered significant damage, but quickly recovered in the post-war years remaining the third largest city of the Soviet Union. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Ukrainian independence of 1991, Kiev remained the capital of Ukraine. Entertainment There are many bars, cafes, night clubs, where you can go with AIESEC members for relaxation. Also can organize external Language Exchange Clubs where you can learn Russian or make discussions in English. Our members extracurricular participate in Toastmasters Club and other NGOs, are involved in projects, so it will be easy to find someone with similar interests. Also there are Catholic churches and an Indian temple, Japanese Cultural Center for instance, where interns from different countries can find their native culture. With friends it is common to go to chill in parks, cafes, do ice-skating, watch movies, do sightseeing around the city. So if you get bored, just go to main street Kreschatik and enjoy the city with someone from our LC! AIESEC in Kyiv, Ukraine | office.kyiv@aiesec.net | Pr. Peremohy 54/1, of 515
Climate Kiev has a continental humid climate. The warmest months are June, July, and August, with mean temperatures of 13.8 to 24.8 C (56.9 to 76.7 F). The coldest are December, January, and February, with mean temperatures of 4.6 to -1.1 C (23.7 to 30.0 F). The highest ever temperature recorded in the city was 39.4 C (103.0 F) on 31 July 1936. The coldest temperature ever recorded in the city was -32.2 C (- 26.0 F). Snow cover usually lies from mid-November to the end of March, with the frost-free period lasting 180 days on average, but surpassing 200 days in recent years. There are four seasons during the year: winter (December-February), spring (March-May), summer (June August), fall (September- 3 November). Please bring appropriate clothes depending on the season when you arrive. Modern Kiev Modern Kiev is a mix of the old and the new, seen in everything from the architecture to the stores and to the people themselves. Experiencing great population growth between the 1970s and the mid-'90s, the city has continued its consistent growth after the turn of the millennium. As a result, Kiev's "downtown" is a dotted contrast of new, modern buildings amongst the pale yellows, blues and grays of older apartments. Urban sprawl has gradually reduced, while population densities of suburbs has increased. The most expensive properties are located in the Pechersk, and Khreshchatyk areas. It is also prestigious to own a property in newly constructed buildings in the Kharkivskyi Raion or Obolon along the Dnieper. Ukrainian independence at the turn of the millennium has heralded other changes. Western-style residential complexes, modern nightclubs, classy restaurants and prestigious hotels opened in the centre. Music from Europe and North America started appearing on Ukrainian music charts. And most importantly, with the easing of the visa rules in 2005.Ukraine is positioning itself as a prime tourist attraction, with Kiev, among the other large cities, looking to profit from new opportunities. The centre of Kiev has been cleaned up and bui
