An interview with Kieran Stenson: Studying abroad in Poland

FSU History intern Rebecca Taylor interviewed Kieran Stenson about his experiences as a History major studying abroad in Poland in spring 2024. Stenson had also interned with FSU History in the past and documented his study abroad stay through a social media “Krakow Diaries” series. In his reels, we get a first-hand view of his travels and university experiences. Be sure to check them out!

Can you tell us a bit about yourself, and what led you to choose Poland for your study abroad program?

I’m a History major about to graduate this fall. I have some Polish heritage, which sparked my interest in Polish history a few years ago. I took two semesters of Polish language classes online through the University of Florida which provided me with a little bit of a foundation. Polish isn’t an easy language to learn, and the online classes gave me a head start. 

I have always thought that at least in this country, Polish history is often overlooked. That’s what drew me to it too – the fact that it was a little bit more unknown than some other histories. Given that I love learning about Polish and Eastern European history, I was very interested when I learned about the Kosciuszko Foundation’s Study Abroad in Poland Scholarship. Lucky for me, I won the scholarship.

Has the experience matched or exceeded your expectations? How so?

It has certainly exceeded my expectations. I have been abroad plenty of times, so visiting another country was not a new experience. But living and studying abroad alone and for a long time is a very different thing from traveling with your family or friends.  

On the one hand, you’ll realize that some things are the same everywhere. You still have to eat, sleep, and do your work. Then you have to deal with the annoying things like paperwork and bureaucracy.

On the other hand, there were many things that I loved. I took the tram to school and back every day.  That was a wonderful way to travel, having the town glide past me while I could people watch. Now, when I drive my car, I wish that I did not have to look at the road and could just travel by tram instead.

There were moments when I was homesick. After four weeks, I realized that I had only spent one fourth of my time abroad. That’s when I realized how long studying abroad can be. But then my family came to visit and also some friends. Those were good moments, and they helped me connect my life in Poland with my life back home.

Studying abroad can be hard. But mostly, it’s an incredible experience, with lots to teach and show you.

Could you describe a typical day in your life while studying abroad in Poland?

On a regular day, I would wake up and take the tram to class. If I was lucky, I’d get a seat. Then I’d have Polish class for about 3 to 4 hours. I was in a class with other international students since we were all there to learn the language. Many of the other language students were older or working at the same time.  When we hung out, we tried speaking in Polish to each other, but often we had to use English to get more complex ideas across. It was nice to see people’s Polish improve over the semester though.

After class and lunch with friends, I would go grocery shopping, check out a museum, or, in the cold winter months, head home for warmth and a nap. I had rented a small studio apartment, and that worked out well.

What major cultural differences did you encounter, and how did you adapt to them?

The people I encountered were by and large very friendly and helpful. The cultural differences aren’t quite as extreme as you might think. The one that I noticed most was that people just don’t talk on public transport or smile at strangers. But if you walk into a shop for example, they will talk to you and be very welcoming and friendly and ask you interested questions.

The other thing that struck me is that students dressed very well for class. They dressed up to go to school, they were in coats and boots, well put together. Even when it was hot, the female students dressed more formally. That made me want to dress up too.

How did your study abroad experience influence your understanding of European history, and has it changed your overall perspective on your major?

Absolutely. Reading history books and looking at pictures are one thing, but being able to visit and see historic sites and cities in person is a whole new level of understanding. It’s also been interesting to see how people in this part of the world perceive their history, based on what they are taught in school and what their family has experienced. I think it’s reinforced my belief that studying history is important because it is the bedrock of every society.

Did you have the opportunity to visit any historical sites in Poland? If so, we would love to hear about some of those experiences.

I have! In Kraków, Wawel Castle is the most famous historical site. It is a massive former royal castle right in the middle of the city. It houses a few museums and even a restaurant. It is nice to walk around in it as it contains so much history.

My favorite place though is the Kazimierz district, which has a long history as an independent town and a sanctuary for the local Jewish population. It’s a fascinating, and often tragic, place. Nowadays it has become a trendy place to live, with small alleys and old buildings. There are also still a few synagogues.

My other favorite site is Łazienki Gardens and Palace in Warsaw, which is a beautiful reminder of a Poland long since gone. It’s located a bit outside of Warsaw and was restored after World War II. The place is interesting to me because of my research on the last Polish king and the Polish constitution of 1791. The king hosted dinner parties at the palace and anyone of importance in Europe tried to attend.

What challenges did you face academically while studying overseas, and how did you overcome them?

Taking classes in another language is hard, but at the end of the day, it’s all about studying and being willing to make mistakes. Language learning is different from other forms of studying. You can’t really cram and rush it! I divided my workload so that I did some work every day. The point of the language class was not just to pass it but make the most out of it in terms of learning Polish.

How was your experience as an FSU History intern being so far away?

It was sometimes tricky due to the time difference and my schedule in Poland. But the other interns and Dr. Liebeskind were very accommodating, and it helped me feel still connected to FSU and Tallahassee.

If you could study abroad again, where would you go? Would you do anything differently?

I would love to go back to Poland to study, perhaps in a different city. I would also try to have fewer extra responsibilities so I could fully dedicate myself to the experience. But I would also like to study in Ireland or the United Kingdom, as I’ve especially enjoyed my time in those countries.

How will this study abroad experience impact your future academic and career goals?

I’m not totally sure! I’ve learned a lot from the experience, both about myself and the world. I have learned to be independent, how to figure out problems on my own, and how to stay on top of things. I have learned how to interact with people from other cultures.  On a very basic level, it has rounded out my education and improved my Polish language skills.

What advice would you give other History students considering studying abroad?

Do it. It’s a fantastic experience, especially if you can manage a full semester. Try to convince your friends to come with you, not because you should only hang out with them, but because many people spend their whole time abroad working up the courage to do things and miss out on what’s happening in the moment. Having a friend could help with that. Do your travel planning and research beforehand, too. But these are just suggestions; the most important thing is to just give it a try!