Study in Poland
by Amanda Fornecker
If you've ever thought about studying abroad, you probably haven't thought about Poland. Most commonly many view other neighboring countries as much more glamorous and exciting due to their rich history and culture. However, Poland has much to offer its visiting students and is actually a very viable option if you're looking for a unique study abroad experience.
Study in Poland's Land of History
Studying abroad in Poland can teach you a world of things, especially about history. First, Poland was a region populated by many Slavic peoples so this type of influence is all throughout the country. There continue to stand many ruins and influences from prehistoric ages, dating back to 700 BC. In later years, Poland was influenced by Catholic Christianity and even the Jewish culture, who migrated to Poland during hard times.
When the Black Death plagued Europe, Poland was not even affected. However, this was not the case during World War II, as Poland was hardest hit by the Nazi occupation and lost the highest percentage of citizens -- more than six million. After the age of communism, Poland went through some tough times, but since about 1990, has been slowly rebuilding its economy and getting stronger. In fact, in 2004 Poland became an official member of the European Union, strengthening its economy.
Beauty and Comfort as You Study Away from Home
Poland has a beautiful landscape throughout its country so studying abroad in Poland can make you feel at home. With 21 mountains, close to 10,000 closed bodies of water, a desert, forests, and more, the natural beauty of Poland makes visiting this country worthwhile. Studying in Poland presents a mostly temperate climate in that there are generally no real extremes in temperature. Summers are mostly in the 60-70 ?F range, while winters are just above freezing.
Poland is a large country, with the eighth-largest population in Europe. The people are generally friendly, as this is a peaceful region, and welcome visitors. You also have access to a great many neighboring countries, such as France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and others. So the location of Poland is definitely strategic and convenient if you want to travel throughout Europe.
The cuisine of Poland has been influenced by a variety of surrounding countries. You'll find certain Jewish, Hungarian, and Armenian influences in Polish dishes for sure. Some notable Polish fare includes the pierogi, kielbasa, and various potato dishes. Culinary enthusiasts will definitely appreciate what Poland has to offer its visitors.
As Poland continues to grow in cultures and its economy, there's not better time to visit a country as rich in culture. From the arts to the cuisine to the historical past, Poland can teach students more than just their school curriculum from a textbook. Students will experience the entire Polish culture while studying abroad, not to mention a very interesting language. If you decide to study abroad in Poland (even if it's not in the main cities of Krakow or Warsaw), you're sure to have a one-of-a-kind experience.
