Week eight: (02/04/12 – 08/04/12) Personal - My thoughts so far

The past two weeks have been an emotional rollercoaster. Although being on Erasmus for the past two months has flown in, often the days feel like forty eight hours, rather than twenty-four. When we first arrived in Poznań, we had more free time than anything else, which made me feel purposeless; however, once placement was added to our schedule it changed everything. We now have regular homework’s, polish tests (every week!!), lessons to plan and social activities, as well as travelling, (although I would like to do more of this). The transition from free time to feeling a little stressed had started to have an impact on me so I was very thankful for the few days we had off for Easter this week, even though it was only four days – I would have been happy with one!

DarÓma, Carrie (DarÓma’s friend from home) and I took a trip to Berlin at the start of the week, even though I have been there before I was excited to get away for a while. During my previous visit to Berlin, I did not have the opportunity to visit the Information Centre for the ‘Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.’ This held a whole new relevance now that I live in Poland. Over two thirds of the Jews that were murdered in the Holocaust were Polish (3.3 million), wiping out 10% of Poland’s population. It seemed mind blowing that this happened in the place where I am living. At the start of May we will be going to Auschwitz, and although I know it will be a worthwhile experience, I am also very anxious about it.

This shows where Jews had been murdered during WW2

During my Easter holidays I have had time to reflect on my experience so far and put it into perspective. I have settled happily in my new home, and enjoying getting around the city. The Polish people are very kind and keen to talk to me at any opportunity and I love working in my placement school. I have learnt how to look after myself and budget, as well as meet people I never would have otherwise. I think I need to remember to focus on the positive aspects, as sometimes tiredness pollutes my thoughts, more so when I start thinking about Polish class.
My dad has always told me that I will never learn anything from the easy things in life, it is the difficult things that shape who you are and what you become. “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” (Mandela, 1994) I think I need to remember that everyday won’t be a walk in the park, and I will miss aspects of home and struggle with things, but I will only have this experience once and I need to make the most of it. “Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely,” (Rodin, A. sighted in Chang, 2006: 285)

References:

(Ed.) Chang, L.  (2006) Wisdom for the Soul: Five Millennia of Prescriptions for Spiritual Healing, Washington, Gnosophia.

Mandela, N. (1994) Long walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela, South Africa, Back Bay Books.