Poland

Slideshow: 

Our most recent outbound exchange trip in­volved an eclectic group of American profes­sionals, one J-1 trainee, two cities in Poland, and a lot of talk about Central European migra­tion trends and immigration/emigration issues. There were also, of course, many pierogies, a lot of Żubrówka, and much baraszcz to be had. The group was able to explore Warsaw and Krakow, experiencing Polish culture and hearing from experts about history, immi­gration, emigration, and the changes that mem­bership in the European Union has brought to Poland and other new EU members in the region.

Highlights of the exchange included a visit to the US consulate in Warsaw, where the trip’s one and only J-1 trainee, Tania Alves Calvao, was able to step behind the windows and see the Consulate from a new and different perspective. Trip participants also enjoyed an informal visit to a premier Polish law firm, discussions with American business interests in Poland, and a presentation from the Warsaw University Cen­ter for Migration Research. A somber and informative day was spent at Auschwitz and Birkenau.