Living in Poland in narrative accounts of international students

The command of a foreign language opens new vistas in a person’s life. Thanks to the fact that we are able to communicate with people from other cultures, we better understand the way they perceive life and its rules. The authors of this publication argue that during longer stays in a non-English-speaking country, the knowledge of English is not enough to function successfully in a new environment on a daily basis. The best solution in this situation is to learn the language of the host country. In the long run, the new skill will bring the local culture closer and make it possible to establish more open and rewarding contacts with local residents. Foreigners will be able to build deeper relationships, strengthen their own position in the host community, and at the same time gain a unique experience enriching their personal, cultural and linguistic resources.