GO VOLUNTEER IN
POLAND Country information Booklet
Geography Poland is a country in Central Europe. It is bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north.
The total area of Poland is 312,679 square kilometers (120,726 sq mi), making it the 69th largest country in the world and the 9th largest in Europe.
Poland has a population of over 38 million people, which makes it the 34th most populous country in the world and the most populous Eastern European Member State of the EU. The majority of the population live in the cities and towns with over 45% of all citizens living in one of the 42 larger cities with population exceeding 100 000 inhabitants. The capital city of Warsaw. Polish cities and towns reflect the whole spectrum of European styles.
Culture The culture of Poland is closely connected with its intricate thousand-year history. Its unique character developed as a result of its geography at the confluence of various European regions.
Polish foods include Rosol (clear chicken soup), Bigos (a stew of sauerkraut and meat, including cabbage) Pierogi (dumplings) and Mizeria (traditional Polish salad made from cucumbers in sour cream with dill). Poland is Europes’ third largest producer of Beer, yet they are better known for Vodka.
Holiday meals, Traditional Christmas Eve supper called Wigilia, Fat Thursday "TĹ‚usty Czwartek" is a Catholic feast celebrated on the last Thursday before the Lent. Traditionally it is a day when people eat big amounts of sweets and cakes that are afterwards forbidden until Easter day.
The Polish zloty is the currency in Poland. Notes and coins in circulation. Notes: 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 ZL. Coins: 1, 2 and 5
Rosol
Bigos
Wigilia
Main Cities: • Krakow, a city wrapped in legend, where time flows differently, and where every moment becomes a moment of history. For centuries Krakow was the capital of Poland, the seat of kings, drawing great scholars and artists from the whole world. • Wrocław, the capital of Lower Silesia, has a complex and dramatic history that is embedded in the city walls Situated at the foot of the Sudety Moutains, upon the Odra River and cut through by its numerous tributaries and canals, it is an exceptional city of 12 islands and 112 bridges. • Poznan is a city with a history that goes back more than a thousand years. It was here that the first Polish rulers have settled. Modern Poznao is a vibrant metropolis, a perfect place for business, culture and entertainment.
Visa Requirements Australia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, SingaporeCitizens do NOT require a Visa to enter Poland Mainland of China, Indonesia- Citizens require a Visa to enter Poland. This is the Schengen C-Type Visa. As soon as you are selected in your project AIESEC will provide you all the information and documents before you apply for any Visa. Watch an exchange experience with in Poznan – Poland CLICK HERE!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsAbcU5sh9Q
To watch the exchange experiences in Krakow- Poland Click the Picture!
“Global Citizen- Primary Schools” Global Citizen is project addressed to Primary school students in Krakow. Exchange Participants (EP’s) in groups of 2 will conduct interactive workshops at Polish schools from Monday to Friday. In each school EP’s will spend one week. Benefits: Personal Workspace & Internet access Accommodation Provided- Host Family! Food- One hot meal at school Provided Close contact with the Host Local Committee Chance to work with an NGO! Learning Points: Develop practical facilitation skills Duration: 6 weeks Possibility to develop language skills Issue: Cultural Understanding Explore Polish culture! Meet people from all over the world Working in a multicultural environment and team Change your global perspective
“Global Citizen Primary Schools”- Job Description Job Description 1
EP’s in groups of 2 will be conducting workshops at Polish primary schools from Monday to Friday. The schedule of workshops will be provided before starting the internship.
Job Description 2
The topic of workshops is about developing pupils’ interest in foreign languages through the workshops and showing them other countries and cultures.
Job Description 3
EP should prepare interactive classes, presentations, some games and sport activities. Trainee should take part in additional activities and events included in the project.
Job Description 4
Before workshops at schools each EP is obliged to attend ‘Train the Trainers’ conference organized by the hosting Local Committee which will be held at the weekend before the start of the project.
Job Description 5
In this conference EP will gain knowledge on how to conduct workshops, get information about workshops content, develop auto presentation and training skills. The conference fee will be covered by the EP.
Job Description 6
EP will take part in Global Village during preparation conference and should be prepared for this by bringing traditional clothes, food, brochures etc. as well as a presentation about the country
Measurable Results Expected It is expected that after the project, pupils will be inspired and from the EP motivated by the EP to be proactive and interested in other cultures and languages. EP is expected to be open-minded, creative, eager to spend time with kids and prepare some additional activities for them.
Watch an Exchange Participant’s experience in Poland CLICK HERE!
“Enter Your Future 12/13” Enter Your Future is project addressed to junior high school and high school students from schools all around Pomerania Province in Poland. Exchange Participants (EP’s) in groups of 3 will conduct workshops at Polish schools for around 30 students from Monday to Friday. In each school EP’s will spend one week. Benefits: Personal Workspace & Internet access Accommodation Provided Food- One hot meal at school Provided Workshop Materials are Provided Close contact with the Host Local Committee Duration: 6 weeks Issue: Cultural Understanding
Learning Points: Develop practical facilitation skills Possibility to develop language skills Improve network and contacts around the world Meet people from all over the world Working in a multicultural environment and team Change your global perspective
Find out more about AIESEC Gdańsk (Host Local Committee) CLICK HERE!
“Enter Your Future 12/13”- Job Description Job Description 1
EP’s in groups of 3 will be conducting workshops at Polish schools for around 30 students from Monday to Friday. In each school trainee will spend one week.
Job Description 2
The topic of the workshops is ‘Culture’. EP’s will need to prepare 5 presentations from a list given in the beginning of matching process. EP’s will be required to share their own cultural traditions. EP’s should prepare extra activities for students e.g. discussions, games, competitions, in order to encourage them to participate actively in workshops and break the language barrier.
Job Description 3
Job Description 4
EP’s should take part in additional activities and events included in the project - and be prepared for such events through bringing traditional clothes, food, brochures, souvenirs.
Job Description 5
EP’s will have some time off for travelling and the opportunity to visit places from all around Poland and Europe. (EP will need to find their own accommodation and food during this time). Measurable Results Expected It is expected that after the project students will be more aware of from the EP cultural differences and the value of diversity as well as inspired and motivated to be entrepreneurial and proactive. Apart from workshops, students will take part in additional activities organized by the EP. Schools will be satisfied with high quality of the workshops, and will have better knowledge of what AIESEC is and have a positive image of the organization
Find out more about this Project, Watch this! CLICK HERE
Maria Lebedeva Story
Maria Lebedeva – University of Western Australia Country: Rzeszow, Poland “My project is wonderful; I teach English at a university, and I have students of different ages in my classes – starting at high school age and all the way up to people who have married children. What unites all these students is that they all want to learn. They are eager to get to know me because they have never met someone from Australia and it really is like a different world to them. I think sometimes we take what we have at home – our multiculturalism – for granted and forget how much you can learn from another culture. I’m definitely going to miss that when I get home. But I love my students. They’re amazing to me and I love spending time with them, especially when I can see how much they’ve improved.”
Janet Xi Story
Janet Xi Project: Enter Your Future Country: Poland "Looking back, I had an incredible time volunteering in Poland with AIESEC. Even though there were a few challenges along the way (e.g. cultural shock), I formed great bonds with the other interns from 5 different countries while living, working and travelling together. I enjoyed being able to thoroughly experience Polish life and culture and the journey itself is now a priceless and much cherished memory for me."
Wanbin Tan Story
Wanbin Tan Project: Enter Your Future Country: Poland "Before the exchange I was afraid and even reluctant to try a different lifestyle, especially those I feel uncomfortable with. For example, I don’t like dancing. Before, I would never try. But in the party, everybody was so enthusiastic that I joined them. Although dancing so clumsily I felt the happiness in the air. I did make a breakthrough, compared to someone who just kept to themselves. Sometimes it could be hard. But once we make it, we can be more tolerant, open-minded and even confident."
…Interested in going on Exchange to Poland? …Interested in Applying for any of these Projects? APPLY NOW , book a time for your interview and get ready to go on Exchange this Winter!
CLICK HERE!