STUDY ABROAD_Poland: Introduction
Happy March! And welcome to IMPRINT.’s newest blog. Because the Poland study abroad program has such a wonky time frame, this blog will be updated throughout the spring semester and part of the summer terms.
This particular article focuses on Poland, but all sorts of other topics are coming soon. The College of Architecture and Design has partnered with the Krakow Polytechnic University to exchange students, which is why yours truly is living just outside the city and loving it, and why you might see some new faces around the Art and Architecture building during this and other spring semesters.
One of the interesting things about COAD is that study abroad is mandatory. You could trek through Finland, wander through Rome, get lost in Krakow, see the Bauhaus in Germany, explore Nashville, or even tag along on another university’s travels to fulfill the requirement. This means that no matter what you choose, you will gain life experiences and educational opportunities beyond those available in Knoxville. (Not to mention a very nice addition to your resume and portfolio!)
What I found most surprising about my study abroad so far is how incredibly exciting it is.
I’m a planner; I anticipate worst-case scenarios and prepare for them; I make fifteen lists of what to pack (and they’re organized by subject, like toiletries, clothes, snacks, school supplies, and so on); I check my flight schedule at least twelve times in the days preceding departure; I pack and re-pack suitcases seven times before I’m satisfied; and then I forget all about the stress once the plane lands in its final destination. And in that moment – when the plane bumps ad bouces as it touches terra firma, when passengers fidget and peer through the dark windows hoping to get a glimpse of the airport’s lights, when I wrangle my backpack from its overhead compartment without concussing anyone – the excitement of being in another country springs from stress's confines and does its best to propel me into the new adventures that await. At least, that’s what it felt like at the time, and that is one of the most stunning feelings in the world.
Getting into the van that would take my classmates and myself to our dorms (and then arriving at and checking into said dorms) was so incredibly different from my arrival to UT freshman year, giving me a very educational glimpse of things to come. It’s amazing how quickly you learn to adjust to new environments and rules, and how these constraints soon become habits and norms in your life. It’s also surprising to realize how quickly a strange place comes to feel like home. We just got back from a 9 day trip (more to come), and even though we had only been in Krakow a week before our field trip, the city felt like home when we finally returned from our escapades.
The best part, so far, has been the excitement. I realize Knoxville is a pretty exciting place, but in anticipation of what’s to come – especially this early in our late-starting semester – makes every day an adventure. From the first-flight jitters, to the commute from the airport to our dorms, to the long field trip you will soon read about, this study abroad had already been full of adventures and anticipation.
I am excited to welcome you to IMPRINT.’s newest column, and I look forward to describing many of the adventures of studying abroad, as well as the educational benefits and life lessons that come with it. Have a great semester, and see you soon!