To Olsztyn for the second degree
When in April, I learned that in Olsztyn Higher School of Informatics and Economics it was possible to undergo training and get a second European degree, I immediately decided that I would go. And then one day in May, we went to a trip abroad, to Poland.
May 26 our team arrived in Olsztyn, where we were met at the station by Polish academic staff members. We were given on campus accommodation. The campus seemed unusually huge. As we learned later there were almost 45,000 students. At the heart of the university there was a square, and the district itself is called Cartesian. Around there are sports fields, tennis courts. Everywhere a boiling life was felt.
The curriculum provided 4-6 hours of academic classes, taking into account differences in the subjects. This, in general, was not so much. But the presentation of information was amazing! How strikingly qualitatively the faculty staff was prepared to work with students. You couldn’t miss any lecture.
In the group there were 15 students of economics, seven bachelor and eight specialist-level students. The course our group studies at university is Economics and Management of the construction materials industry, for bachelor degree students - Economics. The classes lasted for a week. And the thing I remember the most was the atmosphere of relations. I recall when we were traveling from home in doubt, judging by information from the mass media, Poland seemed not too friendly, but it turned out that much was actually not confirmed. We were treated in a very friendly way. In the evening we walked around Olsztyn with its European architecture, admired the beautiful streets, strict design of gothic buildings. Many of us admired the lake, formed in the era of the Ice Age.
We sincerely appreciate our university management for the opportunity to travel to Poland. Moreover, not only for the fact that we will have two degrees, and even more for the opportunity to experience the rich culture of another country, the people, to broaden our horizons.
When we went to Olsztyn, the defense of the diploma was approaching, it was necessary to actively prepare for this complicated examination. But we made a resolution. And none of us felt a regret, we were very pleased. And in late September, we are going to have another trip to Poland, this time to take state examinations and defend a diploma. After this a solemn graduation ceremony of awarding European diplomas will take place. We will put on mantles and in the presence of Polish lecturers, scientists, will obtain documents, with which we will be able to find a job in most Western countries. And this, I can tell you, is nice.
I would like to express my gratitude to the Polish part for an exclusively warm reception and care, which surrounded us in Olsztyn, where we did not even feel that we are in a foreign country. We have gained many new friends. Sometimes we had to communicate through gestures or facial expressions. This is also very memorable to us, because you make brains active when you reveal everything you know. It was a good life lesson.
It should also be noted that faculty staff members communicated with us in Russian. One of the professors was from the post Soviet space he used to study in Kharkov.
In short, we, when we have two degrees, will become a link in the development of international educational space. This is important both for Europe and for Russia.
Irina Pak
graduate institute
Economics and Management