Joanne Monica Kanarek, second year student of IRAS is the finalist of this year Inter Student competition that selects the best international student in Poland!
Joanne Monica Kanarek, second year student of IRAS is the finalist of this year Inter Student competition that selects the best international student in Poland!
When I was 10 years old, I already had a collection of prospects from European universities. I guess one can say that the dream to be a international student ran pretty deep. I never thought this desire would be fulfilled because of a 5 am "International Relations English Europe" Google search on a June evening in 2015. Pressing that enter key led me to Krakow, Poland, and on September 21, 2015, Smok became my next door neighbor, and Krakow, my beautiful, medieval new home.
What hasn't been the advantages of studying in Poland?! The professional and academic opportunities are limitless- you just have to go after them! All my involvement in various minority communities, university seminar/conferences, volunteer positions, and fundraising will impact me forever. Studying in Poland has challenged my perspectives and ideas, and has gotten me out of my comfort zone more often then I can remember- for this, my gratitude will be never ending. Most importantly, the greatest advantage of studying in Poland has been this- because of the previous things I have mentioned, I have absolutely fallen in love with my field. A passion for what I do was ignited so strongly, that it carries me through the moments of difficulty, no matter how challenging. This has been life changing.
If there is one thing that I have learnt over the past year and a half studying in Poland it is this… regardless of “processes” that created us, or the “groupings” we identify with... we all share one thing in common... we are human. Multiculturalism is not just a matter of segregation, assimilation, or integration... it is a complex mix of emotions, experiences, and relationships that feeds off the roots of what we call "human existence". Regarding my plans for the future, I want to be an active leader, advocate, and educator in inter-cultural relations and minority group experiences. I want to create spaces for honest dialogue that challenge "status quo" approaches and attitudes towards racial labeling, immigration policy, politics, and statehood. I want to be active in the laying of the foundations to build strong, vibrant communities, both locally and globally.
Joanne Monica Kanarek