Week 15: Cultural (21/05/2012 - 27/05/2012)

Back home for the wedding

I had to leave the beautiful weather of Poznan again this week to return home to Ireland for my sister’s wedding. It was fantastic to see all my family again, and to my surprise, it was SUNNY in Belfast! This is probably the most difficult blog I will write, as I did nothing this week in Poznan! With this being the case, I have chosen to reflect on some of the differences between Belfast and Poznan that I have come across. This is mainly to give the people reading this who want to come here next year, more of an idea of what to expect!

Language:

When we first arrived, I felt that the language would be impossible to understand. After several months of frustration in classes, I can now communicate in basic terms with the Polish people. From being with my family this week, I was asked several times to speak Polish, and to my surprise, I managed to stutter out some coherent sentences! If you are thinking off coming to Poznan next year, don’t let the initial first month of not understanding anything hamper you, as Anna, DarÓma and myself found out that if you stick at it, then although you will never be fluent in 4 months, you will manage to communicate with the locals. This in itself is something to be proud of, as you get a better appreciation of the Polish culture.

Polish people:

Fantastic people and friends

No matter what country you come from, there will always be people who build stereotypes about other countries. It is important, especially if you are going on Erasmus, not to listen to these stereotypes and base your opinions based on your own experience. My first few weeks here, I found that the people where somewhat rude and always in a hurry and pushing past you in the street. The more I got used to this and got to know the people better, I understand that they are not rude; it is just the nature of the people. I’ve gotten to know several locals including my dormitory’s receptionists and other students, and have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them. There are some people who happen to be rude, but being back in Belfast this week, it is clear that there are also rude people. I am happy to say that these types of people are in the minority here in Poznan!

Life style (food, money, shopping):

This is the biggest difference you will find compared to Belfast. It is extremely cheap to live in Poznan as an Erasmus student. While I was explaining this to my family back home, I showed them a recent shopping receipt I had in my wallet from my local shop in Poznan. It consisted of bread, milk, orange juice, chicken, crisps, 4 beers (only for emergencies), cereal, pasta and pasta sauce. The total of this was 34pln which is the equivalent of around £7. This gives an indication of how cheap the shopping is. I should also point out that the quality of food is just as good as back home.

Several months ago, I really doubt that I would look forward to having a plate of soured cabbage with meat, but this is a traditional Polish dish that I love to eat! It doesn’t sound appetising, but I am working on the basis that as long as I am on Erasmus, I will be open to all new experiences, including tasting random foods!  

Soured cabbage and meat..... Honestly, it's nice!!

I feel that this is the main thing to bear in mind if you choose to come to Poznan. Always enter each situation with an open mind. More times than not, you will be pleasantly surprised. And by embracing this culture, you will no doubt fall in love with this city as I have done.