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How do Polish people in Poland respond to Polish people abroad....?


PolkaZaGranica 2 | 12
8 Jul 2011 #1
I'm Polish and I live in abroad (as you can tell by my name).
I'm considering going to university in Poland, and I've been told by the very few Polish people living in my area, that Polish people (living in Poland) seem to be a bit....rude(?) to Polish people born and living abroad when they arrive in Poland. For example, that they might say you're not Polish, you know nothing about our history, you're not part of this country, you weren't here when we fought for our freedom from communism, you're different from us etc. and that Polish citizens living abroad would be treated as "lower class"??

This doesn't really bother me, and it won't affect my final decision on whether I study in Poland or not. Besides, it all sounds a bit silly and ridiculous to me, and in my mind I doubt that Polish people living in Poland would say these things? Or am I wrong? Or would they (By "they" I mean more specifically varsity students in Poland) be welcoming, and curious about the society you came from? I'm just curious as to how people would react to me... if at all. (I live in South Africa by the way).
JonnyM 11 | 2,615
8 Jul 2011 #2
Or am I wrong? Or would they (By "they" I mean more specifically varsity students in Poland) be welcoming,

Students would be welcoming. The only people who might be awkward are people you would want to avoid anyway. If you come, you'll find that student life here (especially Warsaw, Wroclaw, Krakow) is good.
convex 20 | 3,930
8 Jul 2011 #3
For example, that they might say you're not Polish, you know nothing about our history, you're not part of this country, you weren't here when we fought for our freedom from communism, you're different from us etc. and that Polish citizens living abroad would be treated as "lower class"??

A good healthy chunk of my friends were born abroad....they don't seem to have any problems. And if any university student even mentions struggling under communism, then they've been in uni way too long and their opinions don't really matter :)

Come over, enjoy.
pip 10 | 1,659
8 Jul 2011 #4
I think you fall under the term "polonia" --and there are millions just like you
valpomike 11 | 195
8 Jul 2011 #5
You will love Poland, and her people are the best worldwide. I wish I could move there now.

Mike
Seanus 15 | 19,674
8 Jul 2011 #6
Is that a cut+paste, Mike? You didn't answer the question at all, btw.

The best answer? They frankly couldn't care less. Poles are very focussed on their own thing.
Bzibzioh
8 Jul 2011 #7
I'm considering going to university in Poland

You will be welcome at the beginning with curiosity; there are Poles coming to Poland from many countries all over the world but not that many from South Africa for sure. But after that curiosity wears off, you will be treated as any other person, provided that your Polish accent will be not that much off. Just make sure not to criticize anything Polish too much; you may hear about suffering under communism part then.
PennBoy 76 | 2,432
8 Jul 2011 #8
How do Polish people in Poland respond to Polish people abroad....?

So I'm guessing you were a little girl when you left Poland? I don't know if you still speak Polish but knowing it will make ur life much easier.

Bzibzioh

What's with the icon by your name? are we allowed to have an avatar again???
OP PolkaZaGranica 2 | 12
8 Jul 2011 #9
And if any university student even mentions struggling under communism, then they've been in uni way too long and their opinions don't really matter :)

Actually, that's a very good point. Then I can check the "communism" part off the list.

You will be welcome at the beginning with curiosity;

I hope with not TOO much curiosity :)

But after that curiosity wears off, you will be treated as any other person

That's more what I was hoping for. Thank you so much for the opinion. Thanx to everyone actually for their opinions.

provided that your Polish accent will be not that much off.

Oh that might be a bit of a problem...My accent is a bit strange when I speak Polish. Hopefully that will change within a few years of studying in Poland?

So I'm guessing you were a little girl when you left Poland? I don't know if you still speak Polish but knowing it will make ur life much easier.

Not at all. I was born in South Africa :) I can speak and write in Polish. However, I do sometimes have problems understanding when people born and bred in Poland speak? I reckon though I should catch on quite quickly if I'm exposed to it every day.

Can anyone also advise me on the following in connection with what language I should study in, in Poland if I do go there? As you know it's a choice between Polish and English. Naturally the English studies cost more, but I'll be able to understand everything the professors say. On the other hand, if I study in Polish, the tuition fees are less, but I'm worried I might struggle in the beginning. I speak Polish with my parents, but I tend to insert English phrases a little too often when I'm lazy to think of the wording in Polish. Any suggestions?? Feel free to "test" my level of Polish if need be ;)
dtaylor5632 18 | 2,004
8 Jul 2011 #10
How do Polish people in Poland respond to Polish people abroad....?

They kill em... :/
dtaylor5632 18 | 2,004
9 Jul 2011 #12
It would get the deed over with quick :D though might take a lot of your time up :D
Bartolome 2 | 1,085
9 Jul 2011 #13
However, I do sometimes have problems understanding when people born and bred in Poland speak?

Don't worry, I myself being a 'regular' Pole have problems with understanding some of my compatriots. However, as you'll soon see for yourself, using certain magic spirit (wink wink) raising liquid, which is a significant part of student life, will likely help you profoundly in broadening your horizons of the Polish language.
pola1233 - | 1
1 Sep 2011 #14
they kill em'
or are jealous of em'....
peter_olsztyn 6 | 1,098
1 Sep 2011 #15
for example, that they might say you're not Polish - yes, they might say this
you know nothing about our history - nonsense, you may be a history teacher
you're not part of this country - yes
you weren't here when we fought for our freedom from communism - yes
you're different from us - sure you are after 20 years in (for example) USA you must be different
and that Polish citizens living abroad would be treated as "lower class"?? - nonsense, rather like freak in the zoo who (for example) obey a speed limits
rybnik 18 | 1,454
1 Sep 2011 #16
However, as you'll soon see for yourself, using certain magic spirit (wink wink) raising liquid, which is a significant part of student life, will likely help you profoundly in broadening your horizons of the Polish language.

Yes. It worked for me!
beckski 12 | 1,617
1 Sep 2011 #17
How do Polish people in Poland respond to Polish people abroad....?

Some of the older generation tend to think that we're all wealthy. Oh don't we wish :)


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