A Glimpse into Polish Culture & History while Studying Abroad

I left my comfortable surroundings of Philadelphia and moved to Poland to study at the University of Warsaw.  Traveling to Poland was a personal challenge for me because of my physical disabilities. I once was an incredibly active individual.  However, running had a great impact on my knees. At first, my right knee was affected and I spent a semester on crutches, however the strain I put on my left knee as a result relegated me to a wheelchair the following semester. Similarly, the strain on my shoulders and arms from the wheelchair causes issues with my shoulder. I have seen several specialists, but there is no diagnosis. With my limited mobility, functioning in a new city without my support network presented new trials. These challenges coupled with my academic pursuits at the University of Warsaw made my time in Poland a truly transformative experience.

Abroad, I embraced my new academic environment at the University of Warsaw.  As a Mathematics and Computer Science major, I had the opportunity to experience courses that did not fit into my course schedule at home.  I enjoyed courses on Polish history, Polish culture and poetry. I had the opportunity to experience Polish history outside of the classroom. In April 2010, the nation mourned the loss of important government officials and leaders in a plane crash.  Because of my physical disability, I lived on Nowy Swiat, one of the roads closest to my university and also one of the most important streets in Warsaw because it leads to the presidential palace. Poles walk down Nowy Swiat to pay their respects to fallen leaders.  Living on Nowy Swiat at such a significant time in Polish history was an enlightening and harrowing experience that I will keep with me as long as I live.

My Gilman Follow-on Project was incorporated into a Polish-American art show held at the “Little Berlin” Gallery in Philadelphia. The project came together through collaboration with Marta Pawlaczek, a resident of Warsaw who had come to Philadelphia to help put the show together. Together, we worked to put on our show entitled “Little Warsaw.” The Polish American Cultural Center also provided access to the local Polish media – the opening was publicized on Polish language radio, and afterwards was written about in a Polish language newspaper. The gallery hosted work of Philadelphia artists of Polish descent but also some work from artists I met in Poland, whose work I brought back for the show.

My goal was to foster a mutual understanding between Americans and Poles, with the intersection of American Poles as the conduit. Since the meaning of art is to impact people – to make them think, to make them talk, to make them listen – I feel as though this project was successful in having people understand, react, and participate in Polish culture. Nearly 200 people showed up to the opening. There, I talked with numerous visitors about my study abroad experience, about the Gilman Scholarship, and how it enabled me to live in Warsaw despite the challenges posed by my physical impairment.

After graduation and the completion of his Follow-on Project, Matthew returned to Poland to pursue a Master’s Program in Development Economics at the University of Warsaw.

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program provides U.S. undergraduate students receiving federal Pell Grant funding with grants to support their participation in study abroad programs worldwide. Learn more by visiting www.iie.org/gilman.