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Although Winnipeg's Ukrainian community makes great perogies, that's not what lured Miroslav Peyter away from the Carpathian Mountains. After earning a master's degree in theology and radio production at a seminary in Odessa, Ukraine, he applied to the International Visitor Exchange Program of the Mennonite Central Committee, seeking the highest quality technical training North America could offer.
When MCC suggested an internship with MB Communications/Family Life Network in Winnipeg, it raised his eyebrows, but not his hopes since he'd never heard of the place.
Now, after eight months, he says, "This is a wonderful place. I'm getting lots of experience in my specialty. I am so impressed with the people I work with. They do serious work; it's not a religious game."
MBC/FLN produces programs in seven languages aired in every continent around the world.
Apprenticing with recording engineer/producer Neil Klassen, Miroslav benefits from Neil's 45 years of experience in broadcast and studio technology. "Neil is an enthusiastic teacher. He explains everything to me, from deep theory to the practical. I have trouble with English sometimes, especially technical terms, but with him I understand everything," says Peyter.
Besides hands-on training in recording, computer mixing and mastering, he and Klassen completed a total rewiring of the studio, installing a state-of-the-art digital recording console.
"It's a real joy to teach someone so eager to learn," says Klassen. "Miroslav is a very dedicated and focused person."
Miroslav, 29, is excited about the prospect of producing Christian radio programs in his native region of Zakarpattia in western Ukraine. Previously, he produced a weekly Ukrainian Christian radio program called "Intersection" at a studio in Zaporozhye, 1000 km from his home. This meant a 24-hour train ride every two months, staying a week to record the programs before returning home.
He explains, "My dream is to produce two radio programs in my home region both in Russian and Ukrainian. This is my life's goal. People in my region are searching for something, they don't know what. They work to get enough food and material things, but they have other problems, and they ask what should we do? The roots of people's problems are usually spiritual problems."
Miroslav returns to Ukraine when his exchange stay ends in July. He is a member of a Baptist church, and is sponsored by MCC. His internship with MBC/Family Life Network is part of its on-going commitment to train young people in religious broadcasting techniques. This year MBC/Family Life Network launches the Radio Internship Program. Producer Dave Balzer of "GodTalk" (CJOB68) and "Connecting Points" will train a university apprentice throughout the summer.--Dorothy Siebert, MBC/family Life Network
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