Polonicum – the window on Poland

57. Summer Course of Polish Language and Culture for Foreigners came to an end. Over 200 course participants – having gained new experience – are leaving the University’s walls. Why did they decide to come to Poland? What have they learnt? What did they like most at our University?

– You have a beautiful University! – says Augustin from Brussels. – I like not only the nineteenth century buildings, but also the modern ones, for example, the University of Warsaw Library. In the Old Library there is an exhibition about the architecture of the University of Warsaw. The designs of the new buildings made a big impression on me – adds the Belgian.

Augustin studies Slavic languages in Brussels. He has already been to Warsaw a few times before and he still comes back here willingly. In Poles, he appreciates Polish sociability most. Asked about the difference between Polish and Belgian students, he says: the way you are enjoying yourselves. – In Belgium we usually meet in pubs or bars, but in your country you party at homes. – claims the course student.

Lena from Hamburg comes to Poland very often, because she has a boyfriend here. She is enchanted by Polish food and people’s openness. The grade she gives to the course in Polonicum is five plus. Over two hundred course participants, who explored the ins and outs of Polish language and culture, share this opinion. – The students very often admit they love Poland, which surprises many Poles – states Anna Domańska, the course manager. – Four weeks is too short to learn Polish language, however it is long enough to get infected with affection to this country, fall in love with it, learn about it and explore it. Students keep saying that for them Polonicum was the window on Poland – she adds.

The course is targeted not only at students, therefore the classes were attended by both seventeen- and seventy-year-olds. The citizens of Germany dominated, but there were, among others, also people from Italy, Great Britain, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Tunisia, Portugal, Finland and the United States.

In May Maciek from New York finished studies and came to Poland for holidays. At home he talks with his Polish grandma in our language, so he understands everything and speaks very well. He is not so good at writing and reading – Sometimes when I write something in Polish, later I am not able to read it. – says Maciek laughing. – Today we have learnt a new word "osiemdziesięcioośmioosobowy" – it is a very long word, it has almost thirty letters! – he adds with a smile.

Maciek has never been learning Polish grammar before, that is why this element of the course was the most useful for him. He is glad to have learnt more about Polish culture. – Apart from traditional language classes, students attended classes, which were meant to introduce to them our culture and history. – says Anna Domańska. Lectures and workshops were matched to the participants’ level of language. Students participated, among others, in phonetic workshops, Polish pop culture lectures, learned to prepare dumplings, watched "Sala samobójców", "W ciemności" and "Listy do M".

Many course participants chose Poland, because they have relatives here, but others are simply curious of our country. It was the case of Daniel from Munich, who has been to Warsaw many times. He got interested in our culture and history, that is why he wanted to get to know more about us. Daniel loves Polish dumplings and... plains – which in case of an inhabitant of upland Bavaria should not be surprising. He often visits friends living in Poland, he also took part in students exchange. – I like Warsaw very much. I was here during my Erasmus scholarship in Collegium Civitas and I must admit it was fine, but not as cool as at UW! – says Daniel.

Polish language and culture holiday courses for foreigners have been organised for 50 years. Anyone can attend the classes. Among the participants there are both scholarship beneficiaries of Ministry of National Education and individual self-funded clients. There is no limit of the number of students admitted, so nobody has ever been refused the admission to the course.