Kaelan Robertson's Impressions of Ukraine
Irish photojournalist Kaelan Robertson, who relocated to Ukraine in 2023, has challenged common stereotypes about the country. He has highlighted the remarkable functionality of its infrastructure, the quality of its healthcare, and distinctive aspects of its domestic culture. Robertson's firsthand experiences paint a picture of Ukrainian life that often contradicts widely held foreign perceptions.
Robertson first arrived in Ukraine on February 14, 2023, and has lived there since moving from Britain. In an interview with Marichka Padalko, he shared his observations on daily life:
"For example, how much people here care about order in the home, in their space, in everything. It's done much better than in London or Ireland. In Britain, people wear shoes indoors and don't hang clothes properly. Here, every restaurant has a place for your bag. In every home, there's a spot to leave your shoes. These might seem like small details, but they speak to culture," he noted.
Robertson was also struck by the standard of medical services in Ukraine. He stated that Ukrainian healthcare is among the best in the world, potentially on par with South Korea. He emphasized:
"Healthcare was a major revelation for me... Booking a doctor's appointment takes minutes. Doctors genuinely care about you. If one can't help, they refer you to another specialist. In the U.S., that could cost tens of thousands of dollars and you'd just get a band-aid. In London, the system is formally free, but you wait for months and get paracetamol. Here, everything is fast and humane," he stressed.
Robertson added that he felt more anxiety about falling ill in Toronto than in Ukraine, believing Ukraine to be the best place to receive medical assistance.
Infrastructure and Domestic Culture
Regarding infrastructure, Robertson noted that "everything here works as it should." He specifically praised the operations of Nova Poshta and Ukrzaliznytsia, which he views as models of high efficiency. He pointed out:
- "Nova Poshta is in a league of its own. It's simply incredible: it operates even in Kramatorsk, in Kherson, and parcels arrive the next day.
- 'Ukrzaliznytsia': trains run on schedule even during shelling. In Britain or Germany, there are constant delays and overcrowded carriages."
Through these accounts, Kaelan Robertson counters stereotypes about Ukraine by underscoring the resilience of its infrastructure, the high standard of its medical services, and positive elements of its everyday culture. His testimony offers a valuable contribution to forming a more objective perception of Ukraine as a country with developed systems and quality services. This perspective is particularly noteworthy given the ongoing conflict, which makes these operational successes even more remarkable.
Robertson's impressions could help shift international perceptions of Ukraine, as his experience demonstrates the country's significant potential in areas often overlooked by the global community. Positive assessments of its medical services and logistical networks support an image of Ukraine as a place where quality services and a comfortable life are attainable, despite the profound challenges it faces.
Robertson's insights not only reveal the strengths of Ukraine's healthcare system but also highlight how personal experiences can reshape perceptions of a country. His journey is further illustrated in another article, where he discusses the transformative impact of war on his understanding of Ukraine through a deeply personal lens. To explore this perspective, read more about how his views evolved through a Kyiv wedding.