Anastasiia Shevtsova: “There are great cultural and lifestyle differences between Kyrgyzstan and Poland”

May 27, 2016

Anastasiia Shevtsova, a junior in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications at the American University of Central Asia, is finishing up her exchange semester at Collegium Civitas (CC) in Poland. She took a moment to share her thoughts with us on life abroad in Poland.

“Going on an exchange program has always been on my bucket list. At the beginning of my junior year, I realized pretty quickly that my opportunities for doing an exchange were dwindling, so I upgraded it to my do-this-immediately list. I did not want to lose an opportunity, provided graciously by AUCA, simply for lack of trying. Perhaps I applied to the exchange just so I could check it off my list. At least I would have tried! That was my self-consolation. So you cannot imagine the joy I felt when I learned I had been selected!

Why Collegium Civitas? First and foremost, it wasn’t Asia. It wasn’t Central Asia; it wasn’t China; it wasn’t Korea; and it wasn’t Japan. Of course, I like the Asian part of the world, but I simply cannot eat those spicy and other kinds of foods for nearly half a year. My stomach controls my mind—sue me. Second, it was Europe! Surprising, isn’t it? There were two other European countries available for exchange, but Germany did not match my field of study, and I did not know any French. Poland was my only way to Europe.

Poland is a country with a rich and complex history. It has seen kings, conquerors, tyrants, communists, and finally democratic rulers. As a matter of fact, I did not know much about Poland while I was applying, and probably confused a few facts on my application. In any case, after a month of being in Poland, it was safe to say I had made the right choice. This country is where I should have gone. Poland is a great place to learn about the history of the past hundred years and puzzle over the world’s controversies.

There are great cultural and lifestyle differences between Kyrgyzstan and Poland. For one, there are no show-offs, and self-pride is nonexistent. People don’t take pride in being cooler, richer, and better than someone else. Polish people live their own lives for themselves, not for anyone else. They do what they want; they wear what they want; they express themselves without asking “what will people say?”. At first, you might be shocked—you might criticize their bluntness—but in the end you come around to the idea that one’s own free will is a human right—a freedom to choose. Maybe this is something Kyrgyzstan needs.

In Fall 2015, I applied for two exchange programs for the first time ever. I’m not sure what I was up to the previous four semesters when the application process started, and why I did not apply sooner. At the same time I was applying to CC, I was also applying to the Bard PIE program. Waiting to hear back from both programs was double the stress. Would I fail twice at the same time? Would I get into both? If so, how would I choose between America and Europe? Apparently divine intervention or destiny saved me from my dilemma and made the choice for me: I went to Collegium Civitas in Poland.  

I arrived by bus into Warsaw late at night in the midst of a heavy snowstorm. I had no idea where I was or where I was going. My host university had found me a mentor/friend, but she apparently was running late. I waited for her alone in a crowded bus station, not even entirely sure whether or not my designated friend would come. To make matters worse, people did not seem friendly. I tried asking random people if I could borrow their phone for a call, first in English, then in Russian, and finally through pantomime, but in spite of my efforts, they pretended to not understand me. I felt unwelcome. Fortunately, free wifi saved me from being lost and forgotten. My new friend met me a little while later and ordered us a cab. I did not have any Polish currency on me, and I likely overpaid for my ride to the house, but I did not want to argue with a taxi driver at night, in heavy snowfall, in some remote part of Krakow where my new house supposedly was. I just wanted the day to end. I made it to the darkened house, walked around, found Symbat, sat on the bed, and finally felt safe.

Studying at CC and AUCA are pretty similar: credits, projects, essays, finals. There are some differences in the grading system from course to course. Sometimes you have an oral exam, and sometimes it’s just a final, no midterm; sometimes it’s quizzes every week; and sometimes it’s just essays. It depends on the professor’s preferences and spare-time.  

At CC you can take a maximum 40 ECTS credits. Since one course at CC is 4 credits (not 6 like at AUCA), we have a LOT of classes. I was taking 10 courses for a total of 38 credits. I took a lot of interesting courses related to my major, for example “Using Media as a Propaganda Tool”, “Global Media”, “International Advertising & PR”, “SMM”, and “Marketing fundamentals”. Beyond major I took courses in a few subjects obligatory for the modern man, “Democracy versus the Brave New Authoritarian World” and “Holocaust and Genocide”. With that last class we took a field trip to Krakow (Cracow) to tour around a Jewish ghetto and the Auschwitz concentration camp. I do not know what feelings I was supposed to have, but it was definitely hard to bear.

Back on a positive note, there were always things outside of class I couldn’t miss. There was ICD 2016 (International Career Day), organized by the international student club and the Career office, where I was a volunteer. We helped with the organization: mainly meeting business representatives and visitors and helping people navigate. Aside from the fair, we conducted workshops. I was amazed by Danial Omotosho’s lecture “Do not just get an education. Be entrepreneurial. Work hard in a smart way”. I was so inspired, so motivated, that my motivation could be spread to other hundreds of other people. I was ready to move heaven and earth. One hour with him made me change my perspective on many things, made me get out of my box and forget that I was once inside it. He asked very significant questions about self-discovery that no-one tries to ask, or wants to find time to ask—he  made us think.

I highly recommend anyone apply for this exchange program, but not because you think it is prestigious to study abroad. You should apply if you truly want to grow your knowledge and experience. The exchange program is not one giant party and night-after-night of clubbing. It is undoubtedly hard work and an inevitable lack of sleep, trust me. If you choose Poland for your spring semester, be prepared for the everlasting winter.

I want to thank all of you who believed in me, of course, to my lovely university for this wonderful opportunity, and to my professors for their time spent on several recommendation letters.

My biggest thanks goes to my parents, without whom I would not be here (O, this financial dependence!)  

P.S.    I will use my last moment in the spotlight to tell you a mini story of how my academic enthusiasm is the product of inspiration from my dad. On vacation going up the side a mountain in a chairlift, my dad and I had a conversation that changed my life. He said to me, “do not think that your education ends when you graduate. Never stop studying. Do not miss a single opportunity to learn something new.” His words became my motto.”

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