I don’t like to exaggerate, and I don’t want this to seem like a dime-a-dozen review, but my experience abroad studying in Kraków, Poland was more than I could have hoped for.
I am a senior advertising major who thought it was too late for her to study abroad. I thought there wouldn’t be enough time to fit everything in, but with the help of my advisors, the possibility of Kraków became a reality. I spent the first half of my senior year studying abroad, and I am graduating (on time) in the spring. I know some students take an extra semester, which is great, but I didn’t want that.
The fact that USAC chose to work with the Cracow University of Economics was a great fit for me. Having relevant business courses made the experience so much better; I didn’t feel like I was wasting time or falling behind in my studies. You can get a tour of the campus in the video I made below during my time abroad.
Honestly, I was skeptical about a lot of things in study abroad programs. Here were some of the biggest ones:
How can you afford to travel so much with classes?
Well, once you’re in Europe, travel expenses are incredibly low, especially if you’re willing to look around for good deals. For a weekend in Paris I spent about $70 on my flights and $30 on a place to stay. In the United States, I’m accustomed to spending much more from state to state. A lot of classwork can just be done on a laptop, so you can be productive while you travel. We had some group projects, but everyone worked hard during the week so we could keep our weekends free. USAC also offers a variety of field trips included in the program fee and optional tours which I recommend participating in. Here’s a video I made of the field trips and tours available during my semester.
Do you really make friends while you’re abroad?
I was very skeptical about this, but it’s true that you make connections and develop real relationships through this experience – people in the group, people you meet in your travels, people you meet in the city. Don’t go in expecting anything life-changing; just be in the moment and build genuine relationships with the people around you. Be intentional. You won’t be disappointed.
What if you can’t speak the language?
I honestly thought this was going to be a much bigger problem than it was. Simple phrases like “please,” “thank you,” “excuse me,” etc. will get you much farther than you might think. In Poland, most people speak English, especially younger people. Any time there were complicated things, our USAC program directors were really helpful and facilitated the process, especially when we were first settling in.
I know it’s super cliche, but I felt a connection to Kraków that I had never experienced with any other place I’d traveled. As I continued to explore Europe, that connection stayed strong. I loved calling Kraków home. There’s something about that city. Unlike most major cities in Poland, Kraków survived WWII with no major damage, so the deep Polish history is ingrained there. Every section of the city has a different vibe, so you can find your favorite spots. Whether you’re into pretentious coffee shops, dusty bookstores, classic museums, quirky thrift stores or American swing dancing, Kraków has it.
A lot of study abroad clichés are true. Being enveloped in another culture is a crazy and amazing experience. You will meet people along the way who challenge your way of thinking and encourage you to try new things. There will be at least one mishap that turns into a great story. You will make memories that you’ll never forget.
Poland has so much to offer, and I think overall, it’s an underrated country. It’s diverse and perfect for exploring. The cost of living is low — even with a small budget, you can afford to go out and do things. I absolutely recommend this program to anyone looking for a unique study abroad experience. Here’s what a typical day in the life looked like abroad.
While abroad, there were so many opportunities I would never have had otherwise. I saw a French band that I’ve loved since high school perform and met them after the show. I met some of my Polish family members and spent Thanksgiving and Polish Independence Day with them. One of the friends I made in Kraków hosted me in Berlin and showed me around her city. Another Polish friend is coming to the United States this upcoming fall, and we’re planning a visit.
A lot of study abroad clichés are true. Being enveloped in another culture is a crazy and amazing experience. You will meet people along the way who challenge your way of thinking and encourage you to try new things. There will be at least one mishap that turns into a great story. You will make memories that you’ll never forget.
Anna Henkels is a Youngstown State University student. She studied abroad in Kraków, Poland. During her time abroad she served as a Digital Communications Intern for USAC.
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