As soon as I landed in Warsaw, I knew that my life would be forever changed through the countless adventures that lay ahead of me. Everything here is very different: the transportation, the architecture, the people, and the language. Wandering around the city, I am completely amazed by this beautiful place. Unlike Vancouver, there is not too much rain in Warsaw, which has made exploring that much more enjoyable. The city has a mixture of architectural styles from the gothic, renaissance, baroque and neoclassical periods. The palaces, churches, and mansions around the town make you feel like you are living in a different time period. At the same time, you witness the rapidly growing economy reflected by the renovations and constructions, which bring you to the modern age.
My favorite part of the city is the Łazienki Park where the “Palace on the Water” and Chopin’s monument is located. It demonstrates the great harmony between the past and present. Locals come to this park every day to jog, to take a walk, or to simply enjoy Chopin’s music while touring among gorgeous royal palaces.
Although this is not my first time going abroad, culture shock remains a challenge. Not being able to communicate clearly has been my biggest barrier. People here also do things differently from what I am used to. For instance, they take a different approach to time and are usually late for meetings. The cuisine here is also very distinct. Most Eastern and Central European countries have meat as their main source of nutrition. Fresh vegetables are rarely found in their traditional dishes. All these cultural differences are a challenge to get used to but this is what exchange is all about. To overcome the various challenges, I have taken the time to understand and learn more about the city, the language, and the people around me.
I am happy to have the opportunity to go halfway around the world and get lost in this fascinating land. It has been an incredible city to experience, to learn, and to feel. When are YOU planning to BE Global?
Jacob is in his final year, concentrating in Management Information Systems and Marketing. He is currently on an academic exchange term at the Warsaw School of Economics in Poland. It is through his involvement with the local chapter of AIESEC that sparked his interest in learning new cultures and going out of one’s comfort zone. Jacob looks forward to travelling and exploring the world more after his exchange.