Every person has that special moment in their life when they need to change something in their life. One day I decided to change my life. The best option for me was to get more education. But this time I decided to get it abroad. My first education is English philology. And to be honest it opened many doors in front of me. I decided to study in Poland. I had a lot of reasons to choose Poland. It is not far away from Ukraine and I can understand the language. One more important factor is that Ukraine and Poland have similar cultures.

I started to search the Internet for information on universities in Poland. I read a lot of information about different universities and the prospects they give to students’ future. I read those advertisements and brochures, and my mind started drawing beautiful and marvelous pictures of my future studying and my new life in Poland. Finally, I made my choice. I chose the Catholic University in Lublin. Many reasons predetermined my choice. Lublin is a city of youth and I wanted to be a part of it. And the Catholic University impressed me very much and plus they proposed studies in English.

My expectations were very bright and full of hopes. I believed that this European education would help me to build better life. But the reality is a little bit different. Even Polish students do not see their future so colorful and easy. It turned out that here, in the European Union they still face problems that are usual for us, Ukrainians. They told me that polish young people cannot find good jobs even with very good education.

This is my second high education. And I am convinced that education gives us huge priority. And our task is not to miss the chance. Getting an education is always a hard process. So, I was ready for long studying nights without sleep. I expected more enhanced system of education.  But I was really surprised that, in fact, it is not so hard to study here. Educational system of Poland differs from the one of Ukraine. In Poland students have a lot of free time. They can find same part-time jobs or study on one more faculty, or simply have joyful students’ life. Students in Ukraine have a lot of different subjects and a lot of different tasks. Sometimes they simply have no free time. Maybe some of you do not agree with me, but it is just my own life experience. I do not say that one of those systems is better or another is worse, I just say that they are different.

I must say that the reality is a little bit different then promising advertising on the universies’ websites. Of course, they promise a lot, but we, foreign students, should look more realistic on those promises. From my own experience, I know that it is not so cool and marvelous to study and live in foreign country. You must be ready to face very unexpected problems. I encountered with some different problems.

I thought that the process of enrollment of students and the whole process of the beginning of the school year must be faster and more organized. Some organizational matters take too much time. I do not like the fact that I cannot get information that I need at the dean’s office. For example, last year I had a lot of problems at the beginning of the studying year. This year situation repeated again. I think that the University should plan everything before, in case to avoid those senseless problems. But I need to say that I really had no problems with the dormitory. I managed easily settled down as they promised.

Certainly, not everything is bad. Not at all! I have to say that my common experience with the University is very good and progressive. I study and I pass all exams. I have no problems and I think it’s the result of our cooperation. Teachers give knowledge, I except them.

Summarizing all the above, I want to stress that it is your task to decide what you want from this life and what is important to you. Different universities give you proposals, but no more. Further, it’s your choices, your decisions and eventually, it is your life….

Irina Ilyashevych