1. My research project about Pope John Paul II (Popius Jan Pawel Druga, po polsku!). I completed a series of interviews under the guidance of a Dominican monk, Profesor Rys. Once a week I would visit his monastery for storytime about his life, the Church, and soemtimes John Paul as well.
2. Language lessons with Pani Jagoda as I learned so much more than just Polish. Here we are together with Kuba, the only other person in my program.
3. I joined a gym when it got cold. My frequent misunderstandings there never ceased to entertain me. “Mlyn” had a coffee shop downstairs and workout rooms upstairs. Behind the brightly-lit windows are people walking on the treadmill while talking on their cell phone, red-shirt instructors demonstrating exercises which I swear do not do anything to build strength, and weightlifters who would stop their routine to dance along to Brittney Spear’s newest hit song!
4. Polish food. It was delicious and inexpensive. Plus I particularly enjoyed the “Stary Kleparz” (Old Market) which had an abundance of cheap produce and cheery old ladies.
3. I joined a gym when it got cold. My frequent misunderstandings there never ceased to entertain me. “Mlyn” had a coffee shop downstairs and workout rooms upstairs. Behind the brightly-lit windows are people walking on the treadmill while talking on their cell phone, red-shirt instructors demonstrating exercises which I swear do not do anything to build strength, and weightlifters who would stop their routine to dance along to Brittney Spear’s newest hit song!
4. Polish food. It was delicious and inexpensive. Plus I particularly enjoyed the “Stary Kleparz” (Old Market) which had an abundance of cheap produce and cheery old ladies.
But we must not forget that Polish people really enjoy meat best. This booth was in the Christmas market in the old town square.
5. As much I love Krakow, I also appreciated the chance to see elsewhere in Europe. I visited Berlin (first picture), Prague (second picture), Paris, a small town in Southern France, and London. I also did travel to some smaller towns in Poland.
Final Thoughts:
Krakow is a perfect study abroad compromise. While it is new and different, it was not hard to integrate into the culture. I enjoyed introducing American traditions like thanksgiving and peanut butter cookies to Polish students in my dorm as well as exchanging stories about the different college experiences. I also liked that everyday life was a challenge always with something to discover in Krakow and about Polish culture. The academic components, since yes it is study abroad, focused on outreaching into Polish culture and not just sitting in a classroom. In the end, I have gained immense respect for three things: academia’s role in society, Poland as a unique and thriving country, as well as the people who I had a chance to get to know. Last but not least, I appreciated that Polish people are so nice and the city is so beautiful. Here’s one last picture:
Final Thoughts:
Krakow is a perfect study abroad compromise. While it is new and different, it was not hard to integrate into the culture. I enjoyed introducing American traditions like thanksgiving and peanut butter cookies to Polish students in my dorm as well as exchanging stories about the different college experiences. I also liked that everyday life was a challenge always with something to discover in Krakow and about Polish culture. The academic components, since yes it is study abroad, focused on outreaching into Polish culture and not just sitting in a classroom. In the end, I have gained immense respect for three things: academia’s role in society, Poland as a unique and thriving country, as well as the people who I had a chance to get to know. Last but not least, I appreciated that Polish people are so nice and the city is so beautiful. Here’s one last picture:
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