Want to move back to Poland after graduating high school to study more

Hello everyone I'm 17, living in Chicago and about to be a senior in high school.
After a recent trip to Poland I decided I would really love to move back there after I graduate high school but I'm conflicted because of the education system and what-not.

I was born in Poland, came to the US when i was 5 and have been here since. I know polish very well, just graduated polish school, and I have family around the Tarnow/Krakow area.

I scored fairly well on my ACT (30) but I have no idea what field I would want to go into.
Obviously college in Poland is much much cheaper than any college in the US so that's a good thing.
The thing is, I'm afraid if I do decide to go to college in Poland, that I won't be able to get a job there and I'll have to go back to the US for work and then I'll have wasted all that time that I could have been going to college in the US.

I really want to go to school there to be in the same country as my family but I just really don't know if that's the smartest thing to do regarding my future. When i think about going to college in the US and being away from my family for that long it makes me want to go to school there even more.

If I did move there, I would be moving there with my parents so I would still be somewhat supported financially.

Any advice? :( I'm literally just torn because I know the US schools are better but I think there's no point in going to a US school if I plan on staying and living in Poland for the rest of my life.

So that's that, any feedback would be appreciated!

I don't think the education part is the key. If you work hard you will be successful no matter what you choose. When it comes to family and your heart that is must you must follow first. Poland is your home in your heart and it is your destiny to be there.

I understand the issue concerning getting a US education and a being able to fall back on a US job, but most opportunities are based on WHO you know? DO you have connection in the USA to a good job after college? Is career that important to you?

Your decision must come from the heart and you will never make the wrong one.

March, march Dabrowski
. from Italy to Poland
Under your command
we will reunite with the nation

Good Luck!

I think you should decide weather you will go after money or hearth.

Thank you so much that, it almost made the decision for me.

The only thing I'm worried about is living paycheck to paycheck and never having enough money for anything.

Then study something well payed. Currently it's IT or other engineering stuff (but not all)

You sound confused. If you want to move to Poland, then go. Go to college there. That's your country.

A very likely scenario. The most probable, in fact, and the one you should base your plans on.


By your age, you should have at least a general idea. Speak to your guidance counselor. That's what they are paid for. There are good vocational tests that will help you decice.

However, avoid the following: humanities (literature, history, philosophy, etc.), psychology, sociology, teaching (except for science and math), journalism, political science, economics, business, administration, marketing, law and tourism and recreation, UNLESS you are a top student and go to a top school. There is a glut of graduates in these majors and finding work in these fields is difficult because of the competition. A degree from a second or third rate school doesn't mean much on the job market, whether in Poland, the States or anywhere else, especially in these majors.

The more science and math, the better.


Nope. You can a great education for very little at state colleges and universities. Berkeley, UCLA and UCSD cost almost nothing for California residents, for example. Even out-of-staters only have to pay for the first year until they establish residency in California. Do your research. Not all of the top schools are expensive private schools.

Also, a degree from a unversity in the States will help you a lot more in Poland than a degree from Poland will help you in the States.


Most young people have some difficulty striking out on their own. But most of them survive just fine and become stronger individuals.