Exchange studying in Poland, feedback from a student at our university, Sonya Hryhoruk
Exchange studies in Poland for foreign students, in particular Ukrainians, open up a number of opportunities and give a great experience both in life and in education.
My student life in Lodz started with a not very positive note, as the city turned out to be industrial, not touristy and generally did not live up to my expectations.
At university, it was difficult to “get in” at first. It is difficult to get used to the fact that you choose the subjects yourself, you do not receive grades during the year, you do not record anything at lectures, and there is no such thing as a seminar at all. Learning for exchange students is in English, all teachers are very friendly and fluent in the language. Later, I got used to it, and I was helped by other foreign students from different countries.
The best thing that happened to me in Poland is that I found new friends from Georgia, Japan, Germany, Russia, Mexico, Nigeria and the list goes on. Together we went for free “trips” organized by Uncle Slavomir (an extraordinary person, a very cheerful and creative man with perfect English, who reminds me of my grandfather). We visited many different museums, The Palm House, ballets, operas, Jewish cemetery and more. In addition, the International Students Office (ISO) made a big surprise for international students before Easter: Eastern dinner with national Polish cuisine, and as everyone knows, it is important both in Poland and at another continent: eating for students is holy thing ☺
In general, I am very impressed and do not regret that I went to study exchange in Lodz. The city is filled with a variety of parks, a student atmosphere, foreigners, and almost all the time I spoke English. I have studied Polish better, now I understand absolutely everything and communicate easily with everyday topics.
So what did studying in Poland give me?
Abundant experience of independent living abroad, new knowledge in the field of international relations, improving my English and Polish, in addition friends taught me many words in Georgian and Japanese and now I’m motivated to learn some Eastern language. As well as living among foreign students gave me an unreal, full of emotions and fun time spent and changed my attitude to life.
I thank the University, including the International Cooperation Department, for the opportunity to study abroad for a full semester for free, to gain new experience and to find new motivation to develop, to develop and to develop again. ”
