Poland, more than History: A Lived Experience Past Review
By Doug D (History, Grinnell College) for
CIEE: Warsaw - Central European Studies
One common theme throughout was how similar people are at the core and how many problems we create when we put our differences above others. Too often, we focus on differences as dividing rather than differences as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Warsaw School of Economics |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Overall, good professors through the program. The Polish language instructor was very nice and a lot of fun but not the most effective. Obviously, workload is lighter abroad, but I don't think that means you learn less. Much of the learning comes from experience and being introduced to issues/topics unavailable at one's home university. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Extremely friendly and helpful program director and program assistant. The program director was sometimes slow in responding and oversimplistic in explaining things or over-explained items. However, the program assistant was young, energetic, responsive and extremely helpful. I loved how the program assistant kept us up to speed on holidays, events, and current happenings. Great excursions and reimbursement program. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Many great, cheap restaurants. Program assistant did a good job recommending and helping find places to eat. Program Buddies helped us find good places to shop. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I especially enjoyed visiting Auschwitz and the trip to Gdansk. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Compared to most bigger American cities, Warsaw was extremely safe. Cop presence was very high, which probably helped in deterring crime. Program assistant helped with minor issues and recommended common medications that helped, especially Trilac for adapting to the foods. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
The best way to learn was through everyday interactions. Most older people, probably 30 and above, didn't speak English or spoke very little. It was also good to work with our Program Buddies and other Poles we met. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Those who are independent, driven, and willing to step out of their comfort zone and be open minded will benefit most from this program. My openess and risk taking led me to achieve many lasting connections, and I still stay in touch with many Poles. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
The Dynamics of Breakthrough in Central Europe |
| Course Department: | POLI 3001 WRSW |
| Instructor: | Jadwiga Staniszkis |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | VERY interesting instructor. Professor was extremely knowledgeable and taught without notes. I loved her theoretical approach and sometimes crazy theories and ways of thinking. Often asked for and sought our feedback on her writings and lectures. She always asked "Was that clear? More or less understandable?" after her part. It was great that she had us informally share our final papers, talk about them, and gave her feedback, particularly what she found interesting or hadn't thought about. Less discussion than most courses at my home university. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Terrorism and Organized Crime |
| Course Department: | 137121-1122 |
| Instructor: | Krzyszof Kozlowski |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Instructor was excellent. Very engaging and thought-provoking. He often tried to provoke us as well and get us angry. He introduced many new ways of thinking and challenged our thinking. I really valued the not doing reading until after our class discussion, as this forced us to think more and come to our own conclusions rather than just regurgitate what we read. About the same amount of class discussion as many courses at my home university. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Polish Society and Politics |
| Course Department: | POLE 3001 WRSW |
| Instructor: | Bogdan Grzelonski |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Extremely knowledgeable and approachable professor. Lively and entertaining lectures. Short but effective readings. I loved his personal anecdotes surrounding the topics of discusssion, for they really added to my understanding and the impact. This is by far the course I learned the most in and brought the most back to Grinnell, often bringing in knowledge from this course into my other courses. Professor was always open to questions and discussion. Overall, I absolutely loved this course and the professor!!! |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
History of Central Europe, 1871 to the Present |
| Course Department: | HIST 3002 WRSW |
| Instructor: | Nina Gladziuk-Okopien |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Overall, very interesting with many new perspectives. Sometimes a bit dry. Involed more participation than some of my other courses but less than would be done at home university. Handouts were extremely useful. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No. |
