Summer in Kraków

As our global world becomes more interconnected, learning about different cultures is essential. I chose to apply to the summer program in Krakow, Poland because Poland is a country that has lived under foreign rule, the Holocaust, communist oppression, but is still standing strong. Even today, with the accusation of the newly elected government of Justice and Law, limiting Democratic norms, the Poles are not standing down without a fight¹ (the telegraph). Despite, the many obstacles Poland has faced, the Poles have continuously retained and embraced their culture, their specific sense of humor and opened their doors to foreigners.

I want to study in Krakow, Poland to not only embrace the culture but to receive a high-quality education. Krakow, Poland is known for being the center of academic life and it is home to Jagiellonian University, one of the most prestigious universities in Poland. The Jagiellonian University is the oldest university in Poland, the second oldest university in central Europe and one of the oldest universities in the world. It is noticed for notable alumni like Nobel Prizes winner, Wislawa Szymborska, awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1996. Due to popular opinion, it is the best place to study law and literature. Studying in Jagiellonian university this summer will be the first taste I have of the polish language, culture, and campus life. In addition, I plan to further my education in Jagiellonian University during the school semester because I want to take courses from its exceptional International Relations curriculum which offers a lot of human rights course, and enjoy the Polish culture for a longer period of time.

¹ "Is democracy dying in Poland?" By Matthew Day, Warsaw and Peter Foster, Europe http://www.telegraph.co.ukinews/wor1dnewsieuropepolandi12106217/Is-democracy-dying-in-Poland.html

Studying in a city where its first architectures remain would be like reliving the social and political ways of that time. Specifically, Kraków Old Town, the historic central district of Krakow, Poland is known as the location of the first political life of Poland. Touring the Martyrdom Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau (the former Nazi concentration camp) will be an experience of a lifetime because it held one of the most horrific human experiences in history. Furthermore, increasing my language and cultural knowledge will be beneficial for when I become an international human rights lawyer. I plan to major in International relations and two of its major requirements are studying abroad and studying a foreign language. I belief studying abroad this summer will fulfill two of my academic requirements for my major. Lastly, I believe studying in Poland this summer will make me more proactive, productive and become a more diverse individual.

Mary Ogunji, University of Rochester Class of 2019, is a recipient of a Skalny scholarship for the summer study on location program in Kraków.